Abstract:
Contributions: The main contribution is to share a series of practical methods that improve the writing quality of capstone reports. Background: The ability to write well...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
Contributions: The main contribution is to share a series of practical methods that improve the writing quality of capstone reports. Background: The ability to write well is critical to the success of an engineering technology graduate. However, the evidence points to the fact that industries are disappointed with the quality of writing skills graduates demonstrate. Intended Outcomes: A faculty review of capstone reports showed little improvement in writing quality from the first course to the second in a two-semester capstone sequence. Therefore, the instructors explored what actions were needed to improve the writing quality of the capstone reports. Application Design: Several changes in the capstone courses were developed and implemented. The changes included: 1) using instructional technology as a scaffolding to help frame the writing required for the course and 2) engaging students in iterative writing with feedback. Findings: The assessment data showed a significant improvement, at the 5% level. The iterative process of writing and rewriting the report, coupled with frequent meetings with faculty mentors, proved to be a powerful combination for improving the writing process of the students.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Education ( Volume: 64, Issue: 4, November 2021)
School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
Frederick C. Berry (Senior Member, IEEE) received the B.S.E.E., M.S.E.E., and D.Eng. degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA, in 1981, 1983, and 1988, respectively.
He is a Professor with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. He works on the capstone education for the SoET.
Frederick C. Berry (Senior Member, IEEE) received the B.S.E.E., M.S.E.E., and D.Eng. degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA, in 1981, 1983, and 1988, respectively.
He is a Professor with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. He works on the capstone education for the SoET.View more
Libraries and School of Information Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
Margaret L. Phillips received the B.S. degree in economics and the B.S. degree in psychology from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, in 1999, and the master’s degree in library and information science from Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA, in 2010.
She is an Assistant Professor with the Libraries and School of Information Studies, Purdue University.
Margaret L. Phillips received the B.S. degree in economics and the B.S. degree in psychology from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, in 1999, and the master’s degree in library and information science from Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA, in 2010.
She is an Assistant Professor with the Libraries and School of Information Studies, Purdue University.View more
School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
James Condron received the B.Sc. (engineering) and Ph.D. degrees from the Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland, in 1997 and 2004, respectively.
He is an Assistant Professor of Practice with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. He works on the capstone education for the SoET.
James Condron received the B.Sc. (engineering) and Ph.D. degrees from the Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland, in 1997 and 2004, respectively.
He is an Assistant Professor of Practice with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. He works on the capstone education for the SoET.View more
School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
Phillip A. Sanger received the B.A. degree in physics from Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA, in 1970, the D.E.A. degree in Physique des Réacteurs from the Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires, Saclay, France, in 1971, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA, in 1973 and 1977, respectively.
He is a Professor Emeritus with t...Show More
Phillip A. Sanger received the B.A. degree in physics from Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA, in 1970, the D.E.A. degree in Physique des Réacteurs from the Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires, Saclay, France, in 1971, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA, in 1973 and 1977, respectively.
He is a Professor Emeritus with t...View more
Contents School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
Frederick C. Berry (Senior Member, IEEE) received the B.S.E.E., M.S.E.E., and D.Eng. degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA, in 1981, 1983, and 1988, respectively.
He is a Professor with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. He works on the capstone education for the SoET.
Frederick C. Berry (Senior Member, IEEE) received the B.S.E.E., M.S.E.E., and D.Eng. degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA, in 1981, 1983, and 1988, respectively.
He is a Professor with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. He works on the capstone education for the SoET.View more
Libraries and School of Information Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
Margaret L. Phillips received the B.S. degree in economics and the B.S. degree in psychology from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, in 1999, and the master’s degree in library and information science from Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA, in 2010.
She is an Assistant Professor with the Libraries and School of Information Studies, Purdue University.
Margaret L. Phillips received the B.S. degree in economics and the B.S. degree in psychology from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, in 1999, and the master’s degree in library and information science from Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA, in 2010.
She is an Assistant Professor with the Libraries and School of Information Studies, Purdue University.View more
School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
James Condron received the B.Sc. (engineering) and Ph.D. degrees from the Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland, in 1997 and 2004, respectively.
He is an Assistant Professor of Practice with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. He works on the capstone education for the SoET.
James Condron received the B.Sc. (engineering) and Ph.D. degrees from the Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland, in 1997 and 2004, respectively.
He is an Assistant Professor of Practice with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. He works on the capstone education for the SoET.View more
School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
Phillip A. Sanger received the B.A. degree in physics from Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA, in 1970, the D.E.A. degree in Physique des Réacteurs from the Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires, Saclay, France, in 1971, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA, in 1973 and 1977, respectively.
He is a Professor Emeritus with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Phillip A. Sanger received the B.A. degree in physics from Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA, in 1970, the D.E.A. degree in Physique des Réacteurs from the Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires, Saclay, France, in 1971, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA, in 1973 and 1977, respectively.
He is a Professor Emeritus with the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.View more
