Engineering Commons^™

Taking Curriculum Reform To The Next Level: The Need For Decolonising Work In Engineering Education, Gabrielle Orbaek White

Research Papers

As humanity is faced with unparalleled challenges, from the climate emergency to rising inequality, there is a renewed emphasis on the role of engineering professionals to contribute solutions to global problems. However, there is increasing recognition that the way that engineers are trained through higher education is inadequate to prepare them to address these grand challenges. This paper aims to deepen theoretical perspectives on why the engineering education status quo is falling short. Taking a British perspective, I outline how the epistemology and cultural ideologies, or the “episteme,” of engineering continues to shape our discourses within modern day engineering education, …

A Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Approach To Studying The Development Of Students' Digital Agency In Higher Education, Lilian Ganduri, Brandon Collier-Reed, Corrinne Shaw

Research Papers

Researching classroom practice requires theoretical resources that can explain the variety inherent in such an activity as well as the dynamic nature of classroom practice. Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) offers the possibility of accounts of social, cultural, and historical aspects of the context and of how students adapt and transform in these contexts. This conceptual paper engages with the relevance and utility of CHAT for researching student practices in a course as an activity system.

Exploring The Variation In Gender Balance On Undergraduate Engineering Courses In Uk Universities, Kate Bellingham, John E Mitchell, David Guile, Inês Direito

Research Papers

The underrepresentation of women in engineering remains a persistent issue despite efforts to attract more female students. The percentage of UK engineering undergraduates who are female is published annually, however no institutional breakdown is given. This scoping study aims to inform the direction of future research by investigating the nature and possible causes of the distribution of female engineering undergraduates across the UK HE-sector. Student data gathered from UK universities by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for 2019/20 is explored using Tableau. Overall, 16% of UK engineering undergraduates are female but this varies from 5% to 36% for individual …

Dc Grid Power Congestion Management Laboratory Experiments, Holly Engelbrecht, Diego Zuidervliet, Peter Van Duijsen

Research Papers

In the process of the electrical energy transition, a new curriculum for bachelor electrical engineering is developed. A new development is DC grids, as they are shown to be promising in solving the power congestion management problem. Particularly when adding solar power, battery storage, and load appliances including power electronics, DC grids are replacing AC grids, especially in micro-grids. The development of new laboratory experiments using three educational methods is described in this paper. First, theory combined with online calculation tools is used to prepare the students for the subject. Second, the experiment has to be prepared using simulation tools, …

How Do Students Use Basic Aspects Of Functions When Learning Mathematics In A Chemistry Context?, Lars Friedhoff, Jürgen Roth, Julia Rausenberger

Research Papers

The mathematical concept of function is challenging for students in first-year undergraduate mathematics courses, especially when the concept is applied in the context of STEM courses. This difficulty is often due to a lack of conceptual understanding of functions. From a normative perspective, conceptual understanding of functions involves 1) dealing with the different representations of a function, namely table, graph, analytical term and verbal description, while 2) considering three different aspects of functions, namely correspondence, covariation and object. Previous research suggests that the covariation aspect is essential for achieving a sophisticated conceptual understanding of functions. In order to promote the …

Students’ And Lecturers’ Perceptions On The Importance, Training, And Assessment Of Engineering And Lifelong Learning Competencies, Lynn Van Den Broeck, Rani Dujardin, Sofie Craps, Una Beagon, Caitriona Depaor, Aimee Byrne, Johanna K Naukkarinen

Research Papers

Professional competencies and lifelong learning (LLL) are essential components for success in the engineering profession. Whilst engineering education has primarily focused on providing students with the required technical engineering competencies, new visions emphasise the importance of LLL and point towards the need for acquiring the necessary competencies for LLL during their study programme. The importance of professional and LLL competencies is clear, but what are the views of the engineering students and lecturers? In this study, a comparison is made between students’ and lecturers’ perceptions on professional and LLL competencies. The survey focuses on three aspects: (1) how important are …

Once Upon A Time In The Castle Of Engineering Education: The Magic Of Storytelling For Neurodiverse Students, Beyza Nur Guler, Devin Stewart, Larkin Martini, Diana Bairaktarova

Research Papers

Neurodivergent engineering students face unique barriers in learning environments. To increase accessibility, reducing cognitive load is essential for people with learning and intellectual disabilities. Storytelling is a unique approach for addressing this issue as it provides structure, encourages reflection, and engages multiple sensory experiences that can enhance students' interest in learning.

Progression By Imitation: Empirical Evidence From The Ntnu–Cern Screening Week, Thuy Thi-Thanh Do, Dag Håkon Haneberg, Torgeir Aadland, Øystein Widding

Research Papers

Engineering students should work on authentic and ‘wicked’ challenges to be best prepared for developing technologies that address challenges in our complex world. This can be done with a learning-by-doing approach where students are positioned as entrepreneurs exploring market opportunities for novel technologies. During the NTNU–CERN Screening Week, students in an entrepreneurship program search for and create opportunities based on technologies developed at CERN that may have the potential to later become a start-up. However, the students have limited domain knowledge in terms of the advanced technologies or industrial application of them. Also, the technology readiness level (TRL) of the …

Sources Fostering Academic Well-Being: Students' Perspectives In A Pbl Context, Juebei Chen, Shaoping Bai, Youmen Chaaban, Xiangyun Du

Research Papers

In a post-pandemic learning era, student academic well-being emerges to the attention of educational researchers. Referring to students’ thoughts and behaviors that contribute to doing well in an educational context and their academic life satisfaction, student academic well-being has a significant influence on their recruitment and retention, learning experience, academic achievement, and competence development. However, while academic well-being has been regarded as an important indicator of student persistence in their current study and learning outcomes, limited studies have explored engineering students’ academic well-being and other supportive factors in engineering education. While several studies have examined how well-being is constituted and …

Exploring The Development Of Engineering Design Creativity And The Role Of Spatial Skills In This Process, Clodagh Reid, Sheryl Sorby

Research Papers

This study aims to investigate the development of creativity in engineering education and how spatial skills relate to creativity of design solutions.

Undergraduate students in the first (n=86) and fourth/fifth year (n=48) of their engineering programme were invited to participate. Students completed four spatial tests to precisely measure visualisation skills. In a separate session, students were invited back to solve two engineering design tasks: a ping pong problem where they designed a ping pong ball launcher game to meet specified criteria and a rain catcher problem where they were tasked with developing as many ideas for capturing rainwater as a …

Changes In First-Year Engineering Students' Performance In Mathematics And Engineering Subjects At Different Stages Of Distance Learning, Szabolcs Berezvai, Ákos Köpeczi-Bócz, Bence Sipos, Brigitta Szilágyi

Research Papers

Covid pandemic was unprecedented in modern education but is not expected to be unique, therefore increased attention should be paid to accurately analyse its effects on education. Calculus is an important undergraduate mathematics course in engineering programmes, which gives the foundation for engineering subjects like mechanics or electronics. Unfortunately, recent experiences show that the performance of students admitting after the pandemic has deteriorated dramatically in recent years. This research aims to analyse the changes in performance and attitudes of first-year students in the aftermath of the pandemic. In our research, we investigated the performance and learning habits of three groups …

Comparing Xr And Digital Flipped Methods To Meet Learning Objectives, Krys Bangert, Edward Browncross, Matteo Di Benedetti, Harry Day, Andrew Garrard

Research Papers

Digital learning has become increasingly important over the last decade as students and educators adopt new types of technology to keep up with emerging trends. The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated this rate of change in the higher education sector, leading to remote laboratory experiences and video conferencing becoming increasingly normal. In the wake of this transition, the priority is to understand how these technologies can be blended into existing teaching methodologies, in a complementary way, that enhances the student’s pedagogical experience. The upcoming study will compare three digital-based learning simulations to see which has the most beneficial effect …

Do We Unwittingly Exclude Students? A Case Study To Evaluate An Engineering Test For Inclusivity., Sofie Craps, Mieke Cannaerts, Greet Langie

Research Papers

Engineering stereotypes can hinder different groups to identify with and choose for engineering. The stereotypical image, often characterised as male, white and harsh technical oriented, can negatively impact students’ perception of engineering as a field to which they can belong. Recently, PREFER tests were designed to increase students’ awareness of the different roles an engineer can take on and of the importance of professional competencies in engineering. Research indicated that the tests were gendersensitive, meaning that females had other role preferences than males. These results inspired a follow up project to investigate how the tests can be used as instruments …

Engineering Education Evolution, Janusz Szpytko

Research Papers

Over the years, human needs have been subject to evolution, which translated into economic development and was the result of research, development of knowledge and technology, lifelong learning and the development of skills combined with engineering competences. The paper attempts to analyze the evolution of education with a focus on engineering in the context of the development of technology over the years in conjunction with the significant achievements of technology and engineering craftsmanship. As a result, conclusions were formulated regarding the challenges in the areas of new techniques and engineering solutions that fit into the activities aimed at sustainable development …

A Look Inside The Engineering Students’ Backpack: Differences In Engineering Capital According To Gender Or Migration Background., Mieke Cannaerts, Sofie Craps, Veerle Draulans, Greet Langie

Research Papers

Every student has a unique combination of experiences, resources and social networks related to engineering, called ‘engineering capital’, derived from Archer’s concept of ‘science capital’. The engineering capital gathered throughout life creates a backpack that impacts someone’s aspirations to study engineering, as well as the performance and persistence in the programme itself. Engineering technology is one of the most homogeneous fields within the STEM domain, being mostly white and male. To stimulate a more diverse engineering technology field, this research paper investigates the relationship between the level of engineering capital and gender or migration background, as well as the influence …

Sustainability In Engineering And Engineering Education: A Comparative Study Of German And Saudi Arabian Industries", Talha Bin Asad, Diana Bairaktarova

Research Papers

Sustainability has become a major concern in the fields of engineering and engineering education. Organizations such as UNESCO have defined goals for sustainable development in engineering. As engineers design, develop, and implement products and processes that impact the environment and society, their role in promoting sustainable development is vital. Addressing sustainability in engineering curriculum is needed to equip engineers with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to develop sustainable solutions in their respective areas, and it involves merging the teaching of technical skills with a systems-based approach that considers the broader environmental and economical context of engineering. This 1 Corresponding …

Podcasts As A Learning Method In Engineering Education, Jeanette Engzell, Charlotte Norrman

Research Papers

Multimedia has been integrated in education the last 40 years but podcasts have more recently become popular. Since 2006 podcasts have become increasingly popular in Sweden and nowadays podcasts are used in all types of contexts but are yet to find a place in engineering education. Students do not acquire knowledge or solve problems in the same way. Using a mix of methods in teaching is therefore important if one has the ambition to democratize the learning processes and give students the same opportunity to learn. Traditionally, much of the university education has been based on lectures in classrooms and …

A Community-Based Context Learning Approach To Promoting Social Justice In Teaching Engineering Communication, Hua Wang

Research Papers

The research suggests a community-based context learning approach which engages students with marginalized cultural communities to investigate how technological artifacts, models or systems marginalize these cultural communities and propose for change. The goal of this approach is to increase engineering students’ awareness of that engineering work can marginalize certain groups of people. The approach integrates social change to an engineering communication course and considers student learning and transformation are as important as community problems and solutions. It brings transformative learning outcomes to students, increasing their awareness of the fact that engineering is never neutral, and their engineering profession is associated …

Surveying Post-Leaving Certificate Students To Investigate Their Level Of Mathematical Preparedness For Progression To Higher Education Stem Courses: A Pilot Process, John Mchugh, Michael Carr, Fiona Faulkner

Research Papers

A student’s level of mathematics as they begin degree courses in STEM disciplines has been recognised as a key indicator of their success. While much research has taken place into secondary school mathematics teaching, a comparatively underresearched area has been that of Further Education, which supplies a smaller proportion of degree courses’ student intake. The vast majority of Further Education students seeking progression opportunities to such courses study one of three mathematics modules: ‘Mathematics 5N1833’, ‘Maths for IT 5N18396’, or ‘Maths for STEM 5N0556’.

As part of the author’s PhD research project on the mathematical preparedness of students at FE …

Transnational Collaboration On Lifelong Learning Between Higher Engineering Education Institutions: A University Perspective, Jens Bennedsen, Geir Egil Dahle Øien

Research Papers

Lifelong learning (LLL) is in focus in all European countries. Workforce upskilling and reskilling are seen as central elements in ensuring national competitiveness. Universities are main players in this effort but often find it difficult to find sustainable models for LLL activities, in terms of e.g., economy, student intake, and academic resources. Collaboration between universities can be one possible way forward to overcome such obstacles, and given the enhanced post-Covid digitalization is also increasingly made possible, even across borders. However, many universities also find such collaboration challenging, e.g., due to outdated legislation, lacking financial predictability, lacking

1 J. Bennedsen [email protected] …

Staff Experiences Of Leading Large-Scale Multi-Departmental Project-Based Learning For Year 1 Engineering Students, Fiona Truscott, Emanuela Tilley, John Mitchell, Abel Nyamapfene

Research Papers

There is increasing consensus that Engineering programmes need to include space for skills learning, particularly in interdisciplinary contexts. Active learning methods, such as project-based learning, are the gold standard for teaching interdisciplinary skills. However much of the literature on these approaches focuses on relatively small class sizes, making the application in larger contexts seem unfeasible. The Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP) at University College London (UCL), is one of the most comprehensive and largest applications of active learning methodologies within undergraduate engineering curricula in the UK. A key part is the cornerstone module, Engineering Challenges. This first-year undergraduate module aims to …

Rethinking Evolution Of Active Learning In The Hybrid/Online Engineering Education In The Post-Covid-19 Era: A Quantitative Keyword Co-Occurrence Analysis, Yiwen Xu, Thitiwat Piyatamrong, Abel Nyamapfene

Research Papers

In response to COVID-19, education witnessed a rapid shift to online and virtual platforms. Our previous research has raised questions about the efficacy of these methods for hands-on practice and active learning experiences - crucial elements of engineering education. Emergent solutions like online laboratories and virtual field trips have led to the rise of a hybrid learning era in the post-pandemic context. This change necessitates a reassessment of active learning in hybrid/online engineering education. In this study, we examine recent literature on online and virtual education during and post-COVID-19 to redefine and reevaluate strategies for engaging students actively. We propose …

Reflective Practice In Stem Degrees To Support Adaptability And Lifelong Learning, Gareth Thomson, Klara Kovesi

Workshops

The benefits and importance of reflective learning is widely recognized for the development of STEM students. However, the implementation of reflective practices in the curriculum remains a significant challenge for educators. The main purpose of this paper is to help educators overcome this challenge: to better support students to develop their approaches to reflective learning, to better develop ownership of their own learning processes and to foster skills to support lifelong learning. First, we describe the results of a recent survey among engineering academics to look at the issue of reflective learning and the extent to which it is deployed …

Questioning Implicit Assumptions – Proactively Fostering Inclusion In Engineering Activity Design, Ashlee Pearson, Jessica Deters

Workshops

Within discussions of inclusion work in engineering education, calls have been made to shift to a shared responsibility model where all are responsible for proactively fostering inclusive environments. In an academic setting, it is through pro-active design of learning activities that academics can pre-emptively meet the needs of diverse students such that they may feel included. This design work often relies on academics being educated or aware of what is inclusive or exclusive for different groups that have traditionally underrepresented identities and lived experiences. However, academics do not always possess this information. This workshop proposes an approach that asks academics …

Enhancing Retention And Transfer Of Mathematics In Engineering Education, Annoesjka J. Cabo, Renate Gerarda Klaassen

Workshops

This article is a reflection of a SEFI workshop on Retention. In the workshop, a SWOT Analysis has been realised of four pedagogical solutions addressing Retention in undergraduate STEM education. The pedagogical solutions are programmatic assessment, micro-credentials for online mathematics (support) learning modules, autonomous and self-regulated learning and mathematical competencies for learning. Results have provided insights into the relevance and feasibility of implementation.

Engineering Education Research: Writing For Publication, Rebecca Broadbent, Scott Daniel, Kristina Edström, Jonte Bernhard, Shannon Chance, John Mitchell, Maartje Van Den Bogaard, Fiona Saunders, Una Beagon, Joyce Main, David Knight

Workshops

In this interactive workshop, facilitated by a team of editors from the European Journal of Engineering Education (EJEE), the Journal of Engineering Education (JEE), and IEEE Transactions on Education, participants had the opportunity to network with other scholars in the field, and learn about the journal publication process and how best to navigate it.

It served as an informal opportunity for scholars at all stages of their publication journey to share their experiences, both positive and negative, directly with each other and journal editors. Participants co-created a document of shared insights about writing for publication, the key outcomes of which …

Promoting Awareness Of, And Sharing Good Practices On, Supporting Engineering Students With Disabilities, Natalie Wint, Gillian Saunders-Smits, Roger Penlington

Workshops

No abstract provided.

Practical Toolkit For Embedding Ethics In The Engineering Curriculum, Sarah Jayne Hitt, Stella Fowler, Sarah Junaid, Johnny Rich

Workshops

The need to embed ethics into the engineering curriculum is a collective imperative if we are to successfully navigate complexity, uncertainty and challenging ethical issues to build a sustainable society that works for everyone. To maximise positive impact, behaviours such as inclusivity and sustainability must become instinctive – golden threads running through everything that engineers think and do. Proactively, bringing engineering ethics to the fore in engineering programmes is one way UK higher education equips future engineers with the skills and mindset they need to succeed.

This workshop brings together best practice from expert practitioners across the UK, introducing a …

Supporting Students From Different Universities And Backgrounds To Improve Their Academic And Social Outcomes: Euniwell Masoee Project Workshop, Neil Cooke, Jörgen Forss, Enrica Caporali, Pascal Chargé, Kamel Hawwash, Jesper Andersson, Gianni Bartoli, Sarah Chung, Daniel Cottle

Workshops

There is a notable discrepancy between the relative prosperity of Europeans and the global security and sustainability challenge. The mission of the ERASMUS+ 2020 European University for Well-Being (EUniWell) alliance is to address this. Our project, “Maximizing Academic and Social Outcomes in Engineering Education” (MASOEE) interprets this contradiction for engineering educators, exploring how to ensure graduates make the utmost contribution to societal wellbeing by narrowing attainment gaps. We are combining the expertise of British, French, Italian, and Swedish faculties to identify, share, and ultimately transfer best practices for professional, business, and sustainability skill teaching that is aligned to the EU …

Techniques In Teaching Engineering Ethics And Professional Responsibility, Nael Barakat, Tom Børsen, Cecile Hardebolle, Helena Kovacs, Diana Martin, Heli Väätäjä

Workshops

No abstract provided.