ERIC Number: EJ1076096
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 37
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1941-1766
EISSN: N/A
Engineering Students for the 21st Century: Student Development through the Curriculum
Cheville, Alan; Bunting, Chuck
Advances in Engineering Education, v2 n4 Sum 2011
Through support of the National Science Foundation's Department Level Reform program, "Engineering Students for the 21st Century" (ES21C) has implemented a ten-course sequence designed to help students develop into engineers. Spread across the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) curriculum at Oklahoma State University, these courses were supported by engaging graduate students, building infrastructure to scaffold student development, and self-reflection on what it means to develop as an engineer. Four case studies from the spectrum of courses illustrate the on-going changes. While the project is still in the process of measuring changes in student learning and attitudes, preliminary project evaluation results are presented along with how formative evaluation has changed the project direction. From participants' experiences, both expected and unexpected, some of the factors that contribute to project successes and failures are outlined. A key finding is that the journey of reforming undergraduate programs needs to be guided by knowledge of both current location and destination. A taxonomy developed under this project to guide, discuss, and measure reform efforts is introduced that helps faculty map pathways to meaningful reform.
Descriptors: Engineering, Engineering Education, Learner Engagement, Student Development, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Reflection, Case Studies, Formative Evaluation, Program Effectiveness, Undergraduate Students, Undergraduate Study, Taxonomy, Academic Education, College Curriculum, Curriculum Development, Educational Change, Cognitive Processes, Graduate Surveys, Student Surveys
American Society for Engineering Education. 1818 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 412-624-6815; Fax: 412-624-1108; Web site: http://advances.asee.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Oklahoma
Grant or Contract Numbers: NSF0530588