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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Students Views On Engineering Mechanics Education And The Implications For Educators, Thomas Goldfinch, Giles Thomas, Anna L. Carew
Students Views On Engineering Mechanics Education And The Implications For Educators, Thomas Goldfinch, Giles Thomas, Anna L. Carew
Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)
This paper presents findings of a qualitative study conducted as part of a larger project to address the issue of high failure rates in first year engineering mechanics. Engineering student focus groups were held at two institutions, and were asked about the subject area, curriculum, and their approaches to study. Eight academics were also interviewed individually on the same topics to provide some context for the focus group outcomes. Documented responses revealed a tendency for both groups to focus on the most negative or extreme examples as cases which were representative of a wider situation. Although the focus group and …
Peer Observation Of Teaching: Engineering New Skills And Collegiality, Paul Cooper, Maureen Bell
Peer Observation Of Teaching: Engineering New Skills And Collegiality, Paul Cooper, Maureen Bell
Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)
Academics in a school of engineering at the University of Wollongong participated in a peer observation of teaching pilot program using a partnership approach. All participants subsequently completed a questionnaire and were interviewed about the characteristics and effectiveness of the program. The average time spent by the academics participating was approximately 5 hours. Participants’ evaluation of the program was overwhelmingly positive with outcomes including development of skills, ideas for teaching and giving feedback, and increased confidence. The development of collegiality within the peer observation partnership groups and the school was an especially strong outcome. All participants requested some kind of …
A Knowledge Framework For Analysis Of Engineering Mechanics Exams, Thomas Goldfinch, Anna L. Carew, Timothy J. Mccarthy
A Knowledge Framework For Analysis Of Engineering Mechanics Exams, Thomas Goldfinch, Anna L. Carew, Timothy J. Mccarthy
Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)
In an ongoing research project focusing on improving learning in first year engineering mechanics, a framework for engineering mechanics knowledge has been identified. The framework has been applied to break down and categorise common mistakes made by students at four separate institutions to find out where students are struggling in their efforts to learn statics and dynamics. The framework separates knowledge into factual, procedural, conceptual, and principle areas in a semi hierarchical manner. In using this framework, it has become clearly evident that the marks students are awarded for their work tend to be biased towards procedural knowledge, rather than …
Establishing A Project Based Learning Environment For First Year Engineering Students, Brad Stappenbelt
Establishing A Project Based Learning Environment For First Year Engineering Students, Brad Stappenbelt
Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)
A project-based learning environment was recently established for first-year engineering students at the University of Western Australia. At the focus of this educational approach was a real international development project run within the core undergraduate unit Introduction to Professional Engineering. Students embarking on the professional development component of the engineering degree were traditionally taught about the role of the engineer, social and cultural engineering considerations, the multi-disciplinary nature of large engineering projects and team working and communication skills with minimal involvement in project and group work. The various concepts covered were treated primarily on an abstract theoretical level. Despite the …
The Influence Of University Entry Scores On Performance In Engineering Mechanics, Giles Thomas, Alan Henderson, Thomas L. Goldfinch
The Influence Of University Entry Scores On Performance In Engineering Mechanics, Giles Thomas, Alan Henderson, Thomas L. Goldfinch
Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)
An ongoing study into the causes of poor student performance in engineering mechanics has uncovered some intriguing data on the relationships between students’ university entry scores and their performance in engineering mechanics courses. Statistical analysis has shown that the expected correlations between this key measure used to determine students eligibility for study and engineering mechanics score either do not exist, or are too weak to base educational interventions on. However, students’ entry scores have instead been shown to provide a ‘risk factor’, whereby students’ risk of failing the subject can be determined by entry score ranges. These risk factors may …
Project Based Learning In The First Year Engineering Curriculum, Brad Stappenbelt, Chris Rowles
Project Based Learning In The First Year Engineering Curriculum, Brad Stappenbelt, Chris Rowles
Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)
This paper examines the implementation of a project-based learning approach in the first year engineering curriculum at the University of Western Australia (UWA). As part of this initiative, the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Challenge was employed as the focus of student activity within the core undergraduate unit Introduction to Professional Engineering. This unit is the foundation of the professional development component of the engineering degree at UWA. The EWB Challenge provided students with the opportunity to learn about professional engineering whilst contributing towards a real international development project. To create a successful project based learning environment, a comprehensive tutor training …