scholarly journals The Energy Conversion Playground (ECP) Design Task: Assessing how Students Think About Technical and Non-Technical Considerations in Sustainable Community Development

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Mazzurco ◽  
James L Huff ◽  
Brent K Jesiek
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Design Task ◽  
Sustainable Community Development ◽  
Global Engineering ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Project Failures ◽  
Technical Considerations

Students in global service-learning and similar programs frequently encounter substantial social, cultural, political, and ethical differences when working with project partners in different countries and regions. Neglecting such differences can lead to project failures and/or disempowered communities. In response to these challenges, educational resources have been developed to teach students to think about how the people, social structures, and other contextual factors associated with projects can affect, and be affected by, students’ designs. Yet, there remains a scarcity of valid and reliable instruments to evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions. The purpose of this study is create a theoretically and empirically grounded instrument, the Energy Conversion Playground (ECP) design task, that is able to provide a meaningful and robust assessment of an individual’s ability to identify salient technical and non-technical considerations when approaching an engineering design task situated in a developing country context. We present the scenario and an accompanying rubric that was first developed inductively from student responses to the scenario (specifically 449 discrete items from 93 ECP design tasks submitted by students who attended a Global Engineering Design Symposium). Further development of the rubric involved deductive grounding in relevant literature. To demonstrate the sensitivity of ECP design task to changes in students’ thinking, we also performed comparative analysis of responses from a subset of the students (n=37) who completed the same instrument both before and after participating in the GEDS.

Current research in the engineering design requirement

2002 ◽  
Vol 216 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Darlington ◽  
S J Culley
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Requirements Engineering ◽  
Software Requirements ◽  
Design Domain ◽  
Design Requirement ◽  
Design Task ◽  
Design Goal ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Subject

The design requirement is a description of the desired solution to a problem. In engineering design, as in all other, a clear expression of a well-formulated design goal is vital for successful and efficient completion of the design task. The nature of the design requirement and the processes by which it is achieved have been the subject of a wide variety of research. The purpose of the paper is twofold. Firstly, it sets out to collate and discuss representative research in this area in order to give an overview of the current scope of the work. Secondly, it seeks to draw a comparison with the task of developing the design requirement for software and information systems and to initiate a discussion that considers to what extent the substantial body of research in software requirements engineering might help to give an understanding of the design requirement for the engineering design domain. A tentative characterization of the differences between the tasks in the two domains is presented, and representative papers from requirements engineering are used to suggest areas of overlap as a starting point for further investigation.

Genetic Algorithms in Fuzzy Engineering Design

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Schleiffer ◽  
Hans-Jürgen Sebastian ◽  
Erik K. Antonsson
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Clustering Algorithm ◽  
Computer Application ◽  
Test Problems ◽  
Important Class ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Design Task ◽  
Evolutionary Technique ◽  
The Given ◽  
Real World Problems

Abstract Problems in the field of engineering design represent an important class of real world problems that typically require a fuzzy and imprecise representation. This article presents and discusses a new approach to model this type of problem, by incorporating linguistic descriptions together with a variety of user-defined trade-off strategies. An interactive computer application is introduced, using stochastic optimization to solve the design task by producing a specially desired output under the given environmental conditions which are partly caused by the personal preferences of the engineer and by the expectations of the customer. It utilizes a randomized evolutionary technique, made suitable for the class of problems at hand, to generate and to optimize design solutions that are later identified by a clustering algorithm. Moreover test problems that were solved by the application are considered. In all cases the good solutions were obtained by evaluating only an extremely small fraction of all possible designs.

scholarly journals Qualitative Assessment of the Learning Outcomes of an International Service Learning Project in Civil Engineering

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann E. Jeffers ◽  
Paul A. Beata ◽  
Beverly Strassmann
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Global Competency ◽  
International Service Learning ◽  
International Service

A qualitative study was performed to determine the learning outcomes of an international service learning project in civil engineering. The university program involves the student-led design and construction of suspended pedestrian bridges in rural Bolivia. Five students traveled to Bolivia for a period of four weeks to oversee the construction of a bridge. The students were asked to keep reflective journals that were guided by a series of writing prompts. We analyzed the qualitative data within a phenomenological framework, which allowed common themes to be identified from the data. The measured learning outcomes include technical competency, adaptability, creativity, global competency, cross-cultural communication skills, and teamwork and interpersonal communication skills. The data are examined in relation to relevant literature and supporting quotes from the students’ journals are provided. Our findings support the ideas that international service learning experiences in engineering strengthen global competency and communication, improve mastery of technical skills, and instill an understanding of the social context of engineering work. Additionally, complications that arose in the field taught the students adaptability, which is defined here as the ability to modify an engineering design to meet the constraints imposed in the field. As a result of our analysis, we propose reflection questions that allow the assessment of technical and non-technical learning outcomes. 

scholarly journals EXAMINING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR TASK PERCEPTIONS IN A COMPLEX ENGINEERING DESIGN TASK

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
A F Hadwin ◽  
M Oshige ◽  
M Miller ◽  
P M Wild
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Design Task ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Complex Engineering ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Task Understanding

Understanding assigned tasks is an important skill for academic success. However, few studies have explored the accuracy of task understanding as it develops over the duration of a complex assignment. This study examined explicit, implicit, and socio-cultural aspects of task understanding in the context of an design project assigned to a third year class of Mechanical Engineering students. Specifically, this study examined: (1) the agreement between student and instructors task perceptions for the same complex engineering design task, and (2) changes in both instructor's and students' task perceptions from the beginning to the end of the task. Findings indicate that: (1) students' and instructor task-perceptions generally became more attuned over time, (2) instructor task-understanding evolved over time, and (3) socio-contextual aspects of task-understanding were highly correlated with task and course academic achievement.

Promoting School’s Recovery and Resilience after the Chi-Chi earthquake

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-627
Author(s):  
Jieh-Jiuh Wang
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Reconstruction Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Framework ◽  
Before And After ◽  
School Reconstruction

PurposeIn the current study, the researchers tracked the steps that were taken (in the past 20 years after the occurrence of the 921 earthquake) to enhance the safety of students and teachers on campus by rebuilding the schools according to higher standards. Additionally, the researchers analyzed the process of school reconstruction in Taiwan after the Chi-Chi earthquake, as well as the resilience of the rebuilt schools.Design/methodology/approachThis paper collected extensive relevant literature to serve as a basis for data analysis. Subsequently, they examined the conditions of selected schools before and after they were affected by the earthquake, as well as the reconstruction process of these schools. The purposive sampling method was also adopted to assemble a unique and representative sample.FindingsThis study concluded a new disaster risk reduction education system in Taiwan, from safe learning facilities, school disaster management and risk reduction and resilience education perspectives. It encouraged school and community collaboration regarding establishing a comprehensive disaster management framework.Originality/valueThe paper kept tracks of how schools recovered and restored after the 921 earthquake based on global disaster management trends and local disaster risk reduction education. It also highlighted the major changes within the school resilience system and the importance of disaster risk reduction education in Taiwan.

scholarly journals Social Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Obstetric Fistula Patients Before and After Repair in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Atuhaire Shallon ◽  
Oladosu A. Ojengbede ◽  
John Francis Mugisha ◽  
Akin-Tunde A. Odukogbe
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Obstetric Fistula ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Vaginal Fistula ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Social Reintegration ◽  
Open Access Journals ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan

Aims: Social reintegration and rehabilitation of obstetric fistula patients before and after repair enhance their overall status, which may be unattainable even with a successful repair. Nonetheless, there is little traceable documentation about it even with supportive programs and projects, the thrust of this study. Methods: This is a systematic review involving a search of relevant literature from PubMed, Google scholar, PsychINFO, African Journals Online, Australian Journals Online, and open access journals of international organizations such as WHO, UNFPA, USAID, Engender Health, Fistula Foundation and Fistula Care Plus published between 1978 to date. Of the 46 articles identified, 25 were suitable for achievement of this study’s purpose. Results:Sub-Saharan African countries have recognized the overall burden of obstetric fistula and have devised strategies for its holistic management. Most countries have National Obstetric Fistula Strategic Frameworks which emphasize multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches other than medical paradigms. Social reintegration and rehabilitation have been done through the identification of individual patient’s need/s. Projects and programs aiming to combat obstetric fistula and restore patients’ self-worth and dignity are: Lamaneh Suisse, and Delta Survie in Mali, Dimol in Niger,  Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Burundi, FORWARD in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Handicap International in Benin Republic, Women For Africa in Ghana and Liberia, TERREWODE and CoRSU both in Uganda, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in Ethiopia, and others which cut across the region. Conclusions: Effective social reintegration and rehabilitation strategies are still inadequate in Sub-Saharan Africa due to lack of political commitment and inadequate outreach programs. Keywords: obstetric fistula, recto-vaginal fistula, rehabilitation, social reintegration, vesico-vaginal fistula.

Blended Learning by Gamification in a Second-Year Introductory Engineering Design Course

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyona Sharunova ◽  
Ahmed Ead ◽  
Christopher Robson ◽  
Misha Afaq ◽  
Pierre Mertiny
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Face To Face Instruction

With the rapid development of engineering and new demands of contemporary employers, post-secondary institutions have to adapt, improve and enhance engineering curricula to ensure that recent graduates possess appropriate levels of technical and professional skills and multilateral abilities for a successful start in industry. As industrial technologies, tools, and processes evolve, so must teaching methodologies and approaches, which significantly changes the structure of engineering courses. To ensure that students not only master technical knowledge but also develop their professional, interpersonal, cognitive and computer skills, engineering curricula have begun to shift from a classic instruction format to a blended learning format. Blended learning, the strategy of combining regular face-to-face instruction with online learning and/or other out-of-class-activities, is increasingly used in post-secondary education and disciplines and can take different forms depending on the course needs and desired learning outcomes. This paper reviews the recent implementation of blended learning in the form of gamification of a second-year introductory engineering design course using a commercial online learning platform. The reasoning, methodology, process and the results of student surveys before and after the online game are discussed along with suggested improvements.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document