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Learning through Work Study Opportunities in Civil Engineering Abstract

Pavement management systems are used by many agencies as a tool for making informed decisions about pavements in the area of construction, design and maintenance. Since funds are limited, it is only possible, in many instances, to rehabilitate a limited number of pavement projects. Hence, the need for priority allocation of funds to projects and the appropriate timing of such allocations becomes a challenge that has to be dealt with. In this country, preserving and managing existing pavements is a task that needs to be undertaken to preserve a vital component of the nation’s infrastructure.

The Pavement Management Center for Counties, Cities and Villages (PMC-CCV) at Ohio Northern University (ONU) is a program which was established to promote the use of pavement management systems to make better decisions of pavement rehabilitation. This program is currently focusing on the area of mid and northwest Ohio. PMC-CCV is currently being operated as a joint venture between the University of Toledo and Ohio Northern University. It serves as a local technology transfer entity by providing the forum for pavement professionals to come and share their expertise with its members. Typically, members of PMC-CCV are personnel charged with making decisions regarding pavement maintenance. They represent municipalities, townships, cities and villages of the surrounding area.

PMC-CCV depends on students for its operation, events and activities. Students can assist in organizing events, contacting professional speakers from the pavement industry and sending out bulk mail notices of upcoming events. Moreover, students are also responsible for the operation of a pavement management system for the township which is home for the university. The township has contracted the center to assess the condition of the pavements within its corporation limits and to prepare priority listing of pavement sections in need of maintenance. The center is currently using the software Micro PAVER which has been used to prepare reports about pavement condition and priority listing of pavement sections that need immediate attention.

This paper explores this model experience and assesses its impact on student learning. PMC- CCV has provided over the years useful hands on experiences for many students and allowed them opportunities to interact with professionals in the pavement industry. It has also been viewed by many participants as an opportunity for professional development. This paper will attempt to discuss these issues in an informative manner.

Introduction

An emerging trend in engineering education is that engineering schools are using curriculums that provide students with more “hands on” experiences. These experiences include opportunities for students to work in teams and to communicate with professionals. These experiences allow students to be more practical and creative1. Some institutions used commercial ventures that included recruitment, organization and business activities in their curriculum to expose students to real-world engineering applications2.

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Bazlamit, S., & Reza, F. (2007, June), Learning Through Work Study Opportunities In Civil Engineering Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2878