Asee peer logo

Project-based study abroad programs in Engineering Technology: Challenges and lessons learned

Download Paper |

Conference

2018 ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Spring Conference

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Publication Date

April 6, 2018

Start Date

April 6, 2018

End Date

April 7, 2018

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

8

DOI

10.18260/1-2--29474

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/29474

Download Count

319

Paper Authors

biography

Marcia Ford Murray State University

visit author page

Dr. Marcia Ford is an assistant professor in the Telecommunications Systems Management (TSM) Program at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. She teaches undergraduate and graduate information communication technology and cybersecurity courses. Her research focus is intelligent personal assistants and smart home devices. Her interests also include developing and leading study abroad opportunities for Murray State students.

visit author page

biography

Kevin T Perry AIA Murray State University

visit author page

Kevin Perry is a Registered Architect and Professional Engineer with over ten years of AEC experience in Kentucky and Tennessee. He is currently an Associate Professor of Engineering Technology at Murray State University in the Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology and the Advisor for the AGC student chapter. He teaches courses in Sustainable Design, Reinforced Concrete Design, Structural Steel Design, Construction Materials and the Senior Design capstone course for students in Architectural Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology and Construction Engineering Technology. His research interest are the in the areas of construction materials and emerging technologies for the construction and design industries.

visit author page

biography

Brian Giltner Murray State University

visit author page

Lecturer in the Institute of Engineering at Murray State University. Mr. Giltner is also a practicing civil and structural engineer with over 28 years of experience.

visit author page

biography

Melanie McCallon Seib Murray State University

visit author page

Melanie McCallon Seib is the Director of Education Abroad at Murray State University, where she has collaborated for office growth and study abroad program curriculum integration for nearly 17 years. She spearheaded creation of faculty recruitment, training, financial, and support structures at MSU to enable innovative faculty to build project-based learning programs abroad.

visit author page

Download Paper |

Abstract

Experiential learning is increasingly an important offering at many universities. Project based learning (PBL) is one method to deliver this learning type and this paper discusses the challenges and lessons learned from a series of international, study-abroad PBL offerings in Engineering Technology. Faculty in the Architectural Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, and Telecommunications Systems Management programs at Murray State University reflect on their study abroad program successes and practices. The study abroad programs were 16 week (3 credit hour) courses with instructional period throughout the semester and travel occurring during spring or summer breaks. All five study abroad programs concluded with students traveling to the international partner’s location and providing a unit of work or deliverables. Topics discussed in this paper are student recruitment, project identification, finding international partnerships, program expenses, equipment logistics, knowledge transfer, and project sustainability.

Ford, M., & Perry, K. T., & Giltner, B., & McCallon Seib, M. (2018, April), Project-based study abroad programs in Engineering Technology: Challenges and lessons learned Paper presented at 2018 ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Spring Conference, Washington, District of Columbia. 10.18260/1-2--29474

ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2018 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015