To Build A Better Bottle Opener: Interweaving A Project Through The Engineering Technology Curriculum
- Conference
- Location
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Publication Date
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June 22, 2008
- Start Date
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June 22, 2008
- End Date
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June 25, 2008
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Engineering Technology
- Page Count
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20
- Page Numbers
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13.1292.1 - 13.1292.20
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--4061
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/4061
- Download Count
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6040
Paper Authors
Linda Wanless Michigan Technological University
Linda Wanless holds a position as Lecturer, MET School of Technology at Michigan Technological University. She has a Masters Degree in Industrial Technology Management from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she also taught for five years. Linda is currently pursuing her Ph.D. from Capella University in Post Secondary and Adult Education.
Scott Amos Michigan Technological University
John Irwin Michigan Technological University
Dr. John Irwin has presented published papers at the ASEE conferences in 2002, 2006 and 2007 in the Engineering Technology and Engineering Graphics Divisions. Dr. Irwin holds the position of Associate Professor, MET in the School of Technology at Michigan Technological University as is also Chair of the MET and Industrial Technology Programs. He has a Master's degree in Occupational Education from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Irwin has also been a Program Manager for a NSF grant awarded in the ATE program from 2002-2006.
David Wanless Michigan Technological University
David Wanless is a Lecturer, MET/IT School of Technology at Michigan Technological University. He holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology Management from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and M.S. degree in Organizational Leadership and Quality from Marian College, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, where he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
2
Abstract
Many Engineering Technology Programs today are focused on advancing students’ skills in communications, teamwork and analytical reasoning along with cross-disciplinary knowledge in order to meet the demands of our global economy. This paper explores how a project interwoven through the Engineering Technology curriculum can instill these skills in the students while enhancing the learning outcomes of the courses. The objective of the project is to incorporate a problem into the classroom that reflects similar complexities to that of real-world problems.
By interweaving the project through the Engineering Technology curriculum, it begins to build on the cross-interdisciplinary knowledge and various skill levels of the students. Students are allowed limited opportunities to integrate and apply knowledge from previous courses and often are not allowed such an opportunity until their senior year through a senior project. This interdisciplinary project also allows for the previous course knowledge to be revisited, reinforced and physically applied.
This project is also intended to enhance the students’ engagement in the learning process by allowing the freedom to choose different approaches to problem-solving and communicating their reasoning with other peers, which will encourage more confidence in the individual to approach other problems in life with the same enthusiasm.
The project can also successfully satisfy technology students’ desire for more hands-on applications in the educational setting. Many programs are limited by their laboratory capacities. A project such as this one can begin to encourage the utilization of cross-disciplinary resources. The assessment of the project will be an integral part to program assessment activities. Future possibilities for additional applications of interwoven projects will also be explored.
Wanless, L., & Amos, S., & Irwin, J., & Wanless, D. (2008, June), To Build A Better Bottle Opener: Interweaving A Project Through The Engineering Technology Curriculum Paper presented at 2008 Annual Conference & Exposition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 10.18260/1-2--4061
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