scholarly journals CREATING FACULTY BUY-IN: LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING CEAB GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES

Author(s):  
Govind Gopakumar ◽  
Deborah Dusart-Gale ◽  
Ali Akgunduz

In 2009 the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) announced its intention requiring all undergraduate engineering programs in Canada to utilize twelve graduate attributes for assessing the capacities of its students. In response, engineering faculties across the country have been experimenting with creating processes that incorporate these graduate attributes as a means to stimulate program improvement to achieve curricular and program innovation. Many of the support resources (like the inter-university collaboration EGAD, for example) have focused largely in three directions – definitional, programmatic and information management challenges faced by different engineering programs.Less attention has been given to identifying and addressing leadership challenges faced by faculty administrators in piloting curricular and programmatic changes such as the CEAB graduate attributes. We argue that these challenges result from fundamental features of university educational culture: faculty members place great value upon autonomy in their workplace, and likewise expect a high degree of intellectual independence in designing courses. The introduction of CEAB attributes, together with the mandated changes they will bring to course design, is perceived by faculty members as an external imposition. Such a perception we suggest introduces some scepticism in the faculty about its efficacy leading to a disengagement from the change process. Thorough attention to these cultural factors impacting on graduate attributes adoption is crucial to the implementation of successful curriculum development.Describing these challenges in detail, this paper will outline some pathways that can circumvent these impediments to curricular innovation.

Author(s):  
D. Kennedy ◽  
K. Abercrombie ◽  
M. Bollo ◽  
J. Jenness

Historically, accreditation of engineering programs has relied on the use of input-based assessment of a program by framing major categories and identifying accreditation unit totals for each category. Beginning in 2014, compliance with an outcomes-based assessment of program quality and implementation of a program improvement process is also required.The introduction of graduate attributes assessment at BCIT prompted faculty members to question the relationship between existing learning outcomes and indicators of graduate attributes. Since both outcomes and indicators are written to describe competencies, faculty hypothesized that correlation exists between them.Upon further investigation, faculty, staff, and administrators at BCIT came to understand that there is a relationship between learning outcomes and indicators of graduate attributes, but they are not synonymous. Indicators are required to build a normalizing bridge between outcomes and attributes. They provide a rational relationship between a curriculum’s individual course learning outcomes and the twelve graduate attributes mandated by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board.. This is especially important for subjective expectations of learning where there is not an obvious one-to-one relationship between learning outcomes and attributes


Author(s):  
Lisa Romkey ◽  
Susan McCahan

As an initial step in preparing faculty members for the new outcomes-based accreditation process introduced by the CEAB, a pilot workshop on creating learning objectives was developed for engineering professors at the University of Toronto. As the Graduate Attributes will be mapped to individual courses within engineering programs, the need for course-based learning objectives is even more critical; although research already supports the development and use of learning objectives as an effective educational practice. . This paper will describe the process of developing the workshop, facilitating it for the first time, and the lessons learned that were used in developing a second iteration of the workshop.


Author(s):  
Nariman Sepehri ◽  
Witold Kinsner ◽  
Jean-Paul Burak ◽  
Cyrus Shafai ◽  
Udaya Annakkage ◽  
...  

This paper describes the process that has been implemented for continual improvement of the Engineering programs at the University of Manitoba. The continuous improvement process developed is founded on: (i) assessment of graduate attributes, (ii) evaluation of student success, and (iii) further improvement of the programs. Graduate attributes are assessed both directly and indirectly. The direct assessment of attributes is through course-embedded procedures, while the indirect assessment is through compilation of many activities at both the Program, Department and Faculty levels, as well as via effective feedback from the students and the external engineering community. Together these assessments provide important information for the newly- established Curriculum Management Committee (CMC) to identify/prioritize needs, make recommendations and oversee the implementation of improvements. We describe steps taken to ensure a sustainable continuous program improvement process.


Author(s):  
Maysaa hasan muflih BaniHani

The purpose of this study was to investigate effectiveness of female administration in the Administrative Empowerment at Hail University branches and its impediments, from the point of view of the faculty members. The researcher used the descriptive analytical approach. The questionnaire was the tool of study and the study sample consisted of (53) of female faculty members at Hail University branches during the first semester 2018- 2019. The results of this study found that the overall degree of administrative empowerment was obtained at a general average (3.93) i.e. high degree and at the dimensional level. Indeed, the work team term was in the first rank with an average of 4.09, and then it comes the delegation of authority with an average of (3.89). The communication term comes at the third level with an average of (3.88) and in the last rank, it comes the motivation of the staff with an average of (3.86) and all of them with a rating of (high). As regard the obstacles in the women administration, the administrative impediments obtained the first rank with an average of (3.87) followed by the personal constraints with an average of (3.76), and then the political impediments with an average of (3.47), and finally the social obstacles with an average of (2.61). For instance, the study showed that there were no significant differences due to the impact of experience years and the impact of scientific qualification. There were some recommendations according to the study results, which were to increase the effectiveness of faculty members and remove obstacles facing them.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41
Author(s):  
Amira Farghaly

The required competencies of the medical graduates are changing, and by turn those of medical educators are changing as well. The aim of this study was to compare the faculty development (FD) needs of basic sciences and clinical teachers at the College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University during reforming of the curriculum to an integrated student-centred curriculum. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study that included an online survey for faculty members to assess their FD needs and priorities. The survey questionnaire included questions about the experience of faculty members in teaching in integrated curricula, motivators to share in FD activities, preferred formats of FD activities, self-perceived competencies and needs in different areas of medical education, and selfperceived current commitment to the 12 roles of medical educators. Comparison between the basic sciences and the clinical teachers’ perceived competencies, priorities and commitment to the roles of the medical teacher took place. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare means. The results of the study showed that the highest self-perceived competencies of faculty members were in lecturing (mean = 4.25±0.99) and constructing multiple choice questions (mean = 4.25±0.92). Statistically significant differences were present between basic sciences and clinical teachers in designing integrated courses (p = 0.02) and clinical teaching (p = 0.03). Significant differences were also present in the perceived importance of certain topics in FD programmes, such as course design, blueprinting and simulation. The study concluded that there are differences between basic medical sciences and clinical teachers in the learning needs and the competencies, which should be taken into consideration during planning for FD activities.


Author(s):  
Aneta George ◽  
Liam Peyton

The Graduate Attribute Information Analysis system (GAIA) was developed at the University of Ottawa to support data collection and performance management of graduate attributes for engineering programs at the program level and at the course level [10]. This paper reports on our research to develop support for cohort analysis and reporting by providing a single consistent view of graduate attributes (GA) and performance indicators for groups of students who started and finished an engineering program at the same time. This is supported by two special purpose reports: Graduate Attribute Report per Cohort (GAR/C) and Course Progression Report per Cohort (CPR/C). The former shows average GA data per attribute, the latter tracks student achievement as students progress in their program. It also adds to the historic data trend analysis for a program. Furthermore, a COOP Progress Report per cohort (COOPR/C) is generated.


Author(s):  
Bonnie McCall Ordonez

Web-based courses have currently surpassed all other forms of distance education in the higher education field. One of the main reasons in growth is the demand from adult and professional students looking for a convenient yet quality education (Kearsley, 2000). College and university faculty members are a key component in the development and delivery of online courses. Many studies have been conducted on effective course design, and student achievement and outcomes (Kearsley, 2000, p. 46), but less research is available on the instructional techniques necessary to facilitate an online course.


Author(s):  
Carl D Westine ◽  
Beth Oyarzun ◽  
Lynn Ahlgrim-Delzell ◽  
Amanda Casto ◽  
Cornelia Okraski ◽  
...  

This study investigated online faculty familiarity, course design use, and professional development interest regarding universal design for learning (UDL) guidelines. The researchers surveyed all 2017 to 2018 online faculty at a large university in the southeastern United States. Findings included 71.6% of faculty reporting familiarity with at least one UDL guideline, with most respondents indicating familiarity with guidelines relating to perception, expression, and communication. Faculty reported the highest implementation of UDL guidelines was for those suggesting options for comprehension as well as expression and communication; the lowest implementation was for those suggesting options for physical action as well as language and support. Survey results also indicated high to moderate interest in learning more about all UDL guidelines, with emphasis on comprehension, persistence, and expression. This study suggests that faculty members desire UDL training and offers possibilities for planning and implementing such professional development in areas targeted to best meet the needs of online faculty.


Author(s):  
Susan Smith

Gibbs’ (1988) reflective cycle is used as a framework to explore the institutional experience of embedding new graduate attributes (GAs) as part of a major refocus of all the undergraduate courses at Leeds Beckett University. One of the key components of this curricular refocus was the initial conceptualisation and embedding of three new graduate attributes. The University’s three GAs are i)        having a global outlook ii)       being enterprising and iii)      being digitally literate. This paper focuses on the seven main interventions which were used to embed and foster their delivery in the refocused curriculum. The GAs run through each level of every UG course and prepare students for work and life through a variety of embedded intracurricular module-based, credit-bearing activities. This reflective paper concentrates on the intra-module core curricular activity manifested by the GAs embedded in course and module learning outcomes and not students’ extracurricular activity even though this can be regarded as strengthening skills for life and the workplace (Bowden, Hart, King, Trigwell, & Watts, 2000). A combination of personal and colleagues’ reflections, evidence from surveys and analysis of actions are highlighted using Gibbs’ (1988) cycle as a framework to explore the process in a systematic way and assist in the illustration and analysis of some of our key interventions. This reflective account considers our successes (resources and building the digital literacy GA) and some of the surprising benefits (communities of practice) of this initiative. The paper also uses Hounsell’s (2011) and Barrie’s (2006) frameworks to deconstruct the curriculum change experience and offers structured reflection on some of the lessons learnt from the challenges, e.g. tight timescales, staff ownership and constructive alignment (Biggs, 1996). Key future actions are noted; specifically the engagement of staff and students to address application/tailoring to disciplines and their specific course design issues.


Author(s):  
Stephen L. James ◽  
Douglas W. Ruth

The purpose of capstone courses and projects in engineering is to provide a learning experience that effectively and reliably solidifies earlier acquired understandings. It provides a culminating exercise that lies just beyond a student’s existing ability so that learning is furthered while motivation is preserved. Historically, individual engineering projects, practicums, and internships have been heavily used to provide that culminating experience; however, with often disappointing results. This has been particularly the case in attempting to cap off programs in systems engineering where the learning ideal would be to have a student experience a real-world complex multi-disciplinary engineering and program environment. Given the limitation, this paper proposes using a term-long, class-based, repeatable meta-case as the capstone learning venue, particularly in support of systems engineering programs where securing meaningful experiential learning is difficult. Case teaching is a classic approach in law, medicine and business faculties where the need to develop higher cognitive abilities—analyzing, synthesizing and judging—inside high ambiguity and across multi-disciplines is paramount. A meta-case, as opposed to other case types, is characterized by the use of a very complex, multi-factor (engineering) real-world challenge with a long, multi-stage solution scenario. In proposing the use of a capstone meta-case, the paper presents its use in an aerospace systems engineering environment where development timelines are very long, and where the engineering requirements and solutions are many and highly interdependent. It specifically discusses the course design structure and considerations associated with a meta-case based on the development of the Airbus A400 military transport aircraft. The paper is based on a year-long study into the use of the case method for teaching aerospace systems engineering.


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