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Contributions of interdisciplinary learning toward AE graduates’ success: An industry perspective

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

Architectural Engineering Division (ARCHE) Technical Session 3

Tagged Division

Architectural Engineering Division (ARCHE)

Page Count

14

DOI

10.18260/1-2--42763

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/42763

Download Count

114

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Paper Authors

biography

Ziyi Wang Penn State University

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Ziyi Wang is a Ph.D. student and graduate research assistant in the Architectural Engineering Department at Penn State. Ziyi received her Master of Science in Construction Management from the University of Florida. Her research interests include automation in construction, machine learning, engineering education and constructability. Her email address is zbw5207@psu.edu.

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biography

Robert M. Leicht Pennsylvania State University

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Robert M. Leicht is an assistant professor and graduate of the Department of Architectural Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He is the Director of the Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence (PACE) at Penn State. Rob is an inves

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Ryan L. Solnosky P.E. Pennsylvania State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-5214-2102

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Abstract

Interdisciplinary learning plays an important role in the field of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC). However, ingraining interdisciplinary learning into a curriculum is both an important and challenging need. Previous studies have found that interdisciplinary learning provides many benefits, including helping students obtain teamwork skills, developing a breadth of knowledge and professional mindset for students’ future careers. Literature indicates that there is an important relationship between interdisciplinary learning and students’ success. However, a research gap still exists in identifying the factors related to interdisciplinary learning and how they lead to the success of Architectural Engineering (AE) graduates. This study sought to understand the connection between interdisciplinary learning–relevant topics (or factors) and the success of AE graduates, specifically focusing on the importance of interdisciplinary learning-related topics (or factors) in the AEC industry. To achieve this objective, two sequential surveys were created and analyzed to investigate the factors related to interdisciplinary learning on the success of AE students, and perceptions across different industry disciplines regarding the importance of those factors. This paper –presents and discusses the related factors and their interaction with the success of graduates in the AEC industry. Within the results analyzed, it was found that by focusing on interdisciplinary learning, graduates are more likely to integrate theoretical knowledge in practice, where they are then more successful. Factors that contribute to the interdisciplinary "success" of AEC graduates include meta knowledge or metacognition skills, team interaction and collaboration skills, breadth of discipline understanding, and professional skills as they are significant for their duties post-graduation.

Wang, Z., & Leicht, R. M., & Solnosky, R. L. (2023, June), Contributions of interdisciplinary learning toward AE graduates’ success: An industry perspective Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--42763

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