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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Student Self-Efficacy In Introductory Project-Based Learning Courses, Geoffrey Pleiss, Madeline Perry, Yevgeniya Zastavker Oct 2012

Student Self-Efficacy In Introductory Project-Based Learning Courses, Geoffrey Pleiss, Madeline Perry, Yevgeniya Zastavker

Yevgeniya V. Zastavker

The purpose of this study is to determine how introductory Project-Based Learning (PjBL) courses affect the self-efficacy of first-year engineering students. Grounded theory is used to analyze twelve interviews with first-year students about their experiences in two PjBL courses, Engineering Design and Physics Laboratory. Data indicate that students' self-efficacy within each course is correlated with the extent to which their course goal perceptions align with those intended by faculty. In Engineering Design, students' recognition of the faculty's intended course goals corresponds to higher levels of self-efficacy. Conversely, in Physics Laboratory, students' low self-efficacy is correlated with a large gap between …


Designing For Success: Developing Engineers Who Consider Universal Design Principles, Kimberly Edginton Bigelow Oct 2012

Designing For Success: Developing Engineers Who Consider Universal Design Principles, Kimberly Edginton Bigelow

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Engineers must design for a diverse group of potential users of their products; however, engineering curricula rarely include an emphasis on universal design principles. This research article details the effectiveness of a design project implemented in a first-year engineering course in an effort to raise awareness of the need for engineers to be more inclusive when designing. Students were asked to apply universal design principles to redesign an engineering laboratory to make it more usable to all, including individuals with disabilities who use the room. A representative from the university’s disability services staff, as well as individuals with first-hand experience …


Work In Progress - Using Video And Self-Reflection To Enhance Undergraduate Teams, Nick Tatar, Debbie Chachra, Yevgeniya Zastavker, Jonathan Stolk Jul 2012

Work In Progress - Using Video And Self-Reflection To Enhance Undergraduate Teams, Nick Tatar, Debbie Chachra, Yevgeniya Zastavker, Jonathan Stolk

Yevgeniya V. Zastavker

Engineers today must be able to communicate and collaborate in teams. They also must be comfortable making adjustments within the team to maintain flow and progress toward project goals. With these goals in mind, students in a first-semester engineering seminar course were asked to videotape a team meeting in their design course and to write a self-reflection paper after viewing their video. After analyzing the video, students were asked to provide clear suggestions in their self-reflection paper for improving their own and their team's performance. Our preliminary analysis showed that video-supported reflections: 1) may be more effective than memory for …


Work In Progress - Using Video And Self-Reflection To Enhance Undergraduate Teams, Nick Tatar, Debbie Chachra, Yevgeniya Zastavker, Jonathan Stolk Jul 2012

Work In Progress - Using Video And Self-Reflection To Enhance Undergraduate Teams, Nick Tatar, Debbie Chachra, Yevgeniya Zastavker, Jonathan Stolk

Jonathan Stolk

Engineers today must be able to communicate and collaborate in teams. They also must be comfortable making adjustments within the team to maintain flow and progress toward project goals. With these goals in mind, students in a first-semester engineering seminar course were asked to videotape a team meeting in their design course and to write a self-reflection paper after viewing their video. After analyzing the video, students were asked to provide clear suggestions in their self-reflection paper for improving their own and their team's performance. Our preliminary analysis showed that video-supported reflections: 1) may be more effective than memory for …


Work In Progress - Using Video And Self-Reflection To Enhance Undergraduate Teams, Nick Tatar, Debbie Chachra, Yevgeniya Zastavker, Jonathan Stolk Jul 2012

Work In Progress - Using Video And Self-Reflection To Enhance Undergraduate Teams, Nick Tatar, Debbie Chachra, Yevgeniya Zastavker, Jonathan Stolk

Debbie Chachra

Engineers today must be able to communicate and collaborate in teams. They also must be comfortable making adjustments within the team to maintain flow and progress toward project goals. With these goals in mind, students in a first-semester engineering seminar course were asked to videotape a team meeting in their design course and to write a self-reflection paper after viewing their video. After analyzing the video, students were asked to provide clear suggestions in their self-reflection paper for improving their own and their team's performance. Our preliminary analysis showed that video-supported reflections: 1) may be more effective than memory for …


Network-Based Data Collection For A Project-Based Freshman Class, Samuel Bogan Daniels, Cheryl Q. Li, David Harding Jan 2012

Network-Based Data Collection For A Project-Based Freshman Class, Samuel Bogan Daniels, Cheryl Q. Li, David Harding

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

The hands-on experience for engineering students is often lacking with class sizes increasing and classroom resources under constant pressure. Even with smaller class sizes and studio classrooms there is only so much equipment and technical support to run experiments and allow for student interaction. Network-based data collection and control may alleviate some of these issues and allow for more hands-on experiences, although remote, in the classroom. This paper discusses the interesting problems and not so obvious pitfalls of setting up some simple network-based data acquisition systems for a multidisciplinary freshman level engineering course. The course as currently taught includes some …