Day one sustainability

Emissions reductions targets for the UK set out in the Climate Change Act for the period to 2050 will only be achieved with significant changes to the built environment, which is currently estimated to account for 50% of the UK's carbon emissions.

The socio-technological nature of Civil Engineering means that this field is uniquely placed to lead the UK through such adaptations. This paper discusses the importance of interdisciplinary teaching to produce multi-faceted team approaches to sustainable design solutions.

Methods for measuring success in education are often not fit for purpose, producing good students but poor engineers. Real-world failures to apply sustainable design present a serious, difficult to detect, and ultimately economically negative situation. Techniques to replace summative examinations are presented and discussed, with the aim of enhancing core technical skills alongside those required for sustainable design.

Finally, the role of our future engineers in policy-making is discussed. In addition to carbon, the provision of water and food will heavily influence the work of civil engineers in the coming decades. Leadership from civil engineers with the technical knowledge and social awareness to tackle these issues will be required. This provides both opportunities and challenges for engineering education in the UK.     

Information Skills in Education for Manufacturing Technology: the Case for an Integrated Quality Approach

Considerable ‘user education’ work of high quality has been produced from academic librarians to impart information skills to students on degree-level and diploma BTEC engineering courses. However, in the author's opinion, this lacks a focus on some points of importance for the effective teaching of potential engineers and technologists, This requires the following.

(1) More case-studies of engineering problems highlighting information retrieval aspects.

(2) More accurate grounding in the way engineers actually use information.

(3)Better integration between lectures, information guides, exercises and test material.

(4)Greater emphasis on the analysis stage of technical problems, and linkage to types of available information to help generate solutions—information needs analysis.

Scope exists for packaged teaching material incorporating improvements and drawing upon advances in educational technology such as CAL methods. The author attaches a sample scheme based on advanced manufacturing themes, developed for the BTEC Production Engineering course at Coventry Polytechnic in the UK.     

The Strategic Management of Information: an Essential Element in the Training of Engineers∗

Why should engineering students be trained in the effective use of information sources? How can this education and training be integrated into the curriculum within technical universities? What role can information specialists and librarians play for training future engineers in this field of information mastery?

This paper introduces a debate which is largely developed in some countries, specially in France, within the French Grandes Ecoles     

The Educational Needs of Graduate Mechanical Engineers in New Zealand

During the restructuring of the Mechanical Engineering degree course at the University of Auckland it became evident that there was a requirement for more information concerning “what mechanical engineers do!” and “what knowledge or skills are required by them to perform this function”. In order to resolve these questions two surveys, one involving graduates and the other undergraduates, were undertaken.

The graduate survey demonstrated that the dominant work activities of New Zealand mechanical engineers were design and consultancy. In addition, the results showed that graduate engineers rapidly migrate into management, with 80% of them being responsible for staff within 15 years of leaving university.

Both surveys show that the acquisition of skills is more highly valued than the acquisition of engineering knowledge and that management and interpersonal skills are more highly prized than those skills which could be considered to be manual. The knowledge-based topics which were found to be important were those that related to the professional and managerial aspects of engineering. The most valued scientific topics were those which could be considered as being the most general, such as strength of materials and thermodynamics.

An examination of the effectiveness of the various types of training available at university showed that the most valued training methods were those with high levels of personal supervision. The normal teaching methods used in universities—lectures and tutorials—were considered to be relatively ineffective.     

Recognition as support for reasoning about horizontal motion: a further resource for school science?

Background: Even infants can recognize whether patterns of motion are or are not natural, yet an acknowledged challenge for science education is to promote adequate reasoning about such patterns. Since research indicates linkage between the conceptual bases of recognition and reasoning, it seems possible that recognition can be engaged to support reasoning.

Purpose: Noting the theoretical and practical significance of showing that recognition can support reasoning, the reported research aimed to examine the possibility in relation to horizontal motion.

Sample: The research was conducted with 167 children (mean age = 9.51 years) from Years 4, 5 and 6 of an English-medium school located in Lisbon, Portugal.

Design and methods: Individual pre-tests were administered to all participants to assess initial reasoning about the direction and speed with which rolling balls travel after collision. Reasoning was assessed in the sense of both predicting and explaining. Thereafter, about two-thirds of the sample worked with software that, via simulations of the incorrect patterns that were typically predicted (and comparison with simulations of correct patterns), engaged recognition as feedback on reasoning. The remaining children became an untutored control group. Replicating characteristic computer use in classrooms, half of the software sample worked as singletons with adult guidance available on request and half worked in pairs without the option of guidance. A few weeks later, all participants were post-tested following pre-test procedures.

Results: Pre- to post-test change amongst the children who worked with the software exceeded pre- to post-test change within the control group, and this was observed with both predictions and explanations. The differences were strongest amongst the children who worked as singletons, even though they seldom requested adult support.

Conclusions: Although issues remain to be addressed before the approach can be optimized, its viability as support for reasoning has been demonstrated, and this may have relevance beyond horizontal motion.     

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF ENGINEERS ‐‐UNESCO ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR ENGINEERS

The impact of engineers on the environment, particularly in the processes of urbanization, industrial production and in the search for energy resources is generally recognized.

Ecological repercussions of the project or construction where there has been a lack of appreciation of environmental harmony might have negative consequences affecting many people. Recognition of this situation is reflected in the numerous efforts of national and international organizations to reorganize engineering studies and to in‐corporate environmental education in the training of engineers.

The following article was written, for “Higher Education in Europe” and deals with Unesco's activities in the area of development of environmental education of engineers. It was written by Albert Sasson from the Division of Ecological Science of Unesco.     

The language of compromise — interpreting industrial requirements in educational terms

There is no doubt that it is possible to identify some of the key factors which operate in the area of interaction between industry and engineering educators, and the following are typical:

— industry must have a clear idea of its requirement for qualified engineers;

— the role of the engineer in industry — extending from research, development and production into the service area and into society (with the implied social responsibility);

— the time constraints in the educational system in relation to the rate of growth of knowledge and the consequent problems associated with course planning;

— the continuing challenge to the role of university education arising from the demands of industry and from very close links with sectors of industry or particular industrial companies.     

INFORMATION ON SOME NON‐TRADITIONAL FORMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Non‐traditional forms of higher education in the German Democratic Republic are mainly directed towards adult students.

We give below information on the planning, organization and role of this form of study within the GDR's higher education system.     

On defining distance education

Four generally accepted definitions of distance education are analysed and from them six components of a comprehensive definition are chosen. The forms of education that are considered to fall within the concept of distance education as outlined are considered from the point of view of choice of medium, institutional type and didactic model. Various forms of education that bear some similarities to distance education but are not to be identified with it are described. The term ‘distance education’ is proposed as the most satisfactory solution to the problem of terminology.

The term ‘distance education’ covers the various forms of study at all levels which are not under the continuous, immediate supervision of tutors present with their students in lecture rooms or on the same premises, but which, nevertheless, benefit from the planning, guidance and tuition of a tutorial organisation.

(Holmberg,1977:9)

Distance education is education which either does not imply the physical presence of the teacher appointed to dispense it in the place where it is received or in which the teacher is present only on occasion or for selected tasks.

(Loi 71.556 du 12 juillet 1971)

Distance teaching/education (Fernunterricht) is a method of imparting knowledge, skills and attitudes which is rationalised by the application of division of labour and organisational principles as well as by the extensive use of technical media, especially for the purpose of reproducing high quality teaching material which makes it possible to instruct great numbers of students at the same time wherever they live. It is an industrialised form of teaching and learning.

(Peters, 1973:206)

Distance teaching may be defined as the family of instructional methods in which the teaching behaviours are executed apart from the learning behaviours, including those that in a contiguous situation would be performed in the learner's presence, so that communication between the teacher and the learner must be facilitated by print, electronic, mechanical or other devices.

(Moore, 1973:664)     

Reframing Teacher Education for Learning Equity

The current models of teacher education in the Western world are still largely based upon the building of students' knowledge and skills using approaches similar to those designed for the assembly lines of the past. The prevailing model of schooling is still centered around the notion that schools are places young people go to watch their teacher work. In the advent of the innovation age, teacher education requires reinvention around the emerging knowledge base about learning and the key role teachers play in addressing issues of equity and student success in this rapidly changing and complex world.

A panel of eminent international scholars, from a range of fields, formulated evidence-based frameworks to guide future teacher education models globally. The frameworks focus on “learning equity.” In addition, the team launched a cloud-based Learning Equity Research and Resource Center, hosting some of the planet's best scholarly and applied research on learning sciences and equity-based practices. The team's research agenda is grounded in learning theory, cognitive science, technology, social justice, and an equity mission to provide learning environments and quality teachers that enable the potential of all children.

The Global Learning Equity Network (GLEN) challenges the preparation of a new kind of teacher for a new kind of school, one built on a learning center rather than a testing center model. GLEN's research, resources, and frameworks are designed to assist new teachers to enable all children to discover their passion(s), grow their talents, and be inspired to lead healthy, happy, and productive lives.     

Who Are The Mathematically Gifted?

Both scholars and lay persons have long debated and continue to debate the question of what makes giftedness. The type of student to whom we apply the label mathematically gifted has not always been clear. Many educators who provide leadership and adminster special programs are generalists who may lack awareness of the nature of mathematical knowledge, the role of content learning in mathematics, the nature of mathematical thinking, and the future mathematical needs of gifted students. Thus many existing programs for the gifted seem to reflect the need to “do something” rather than careful planning based on clear objectives.

This article examines the definition of mathematically gifted, discusses current practices within the field of special education for this population, and calls for an identification procedure which includes qualitative information concerning students' higher‐order reasoning skills.     

CANADA: PLANS TO CREATE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Experiments for open learning higher education institution are being made in many countries. This form of study is seen as one of the ways of democratizing higher education as well as tailoring the aims of higher education to national and regional needs.

We give below information on an open learning institution of higher education in British Columbia, which will start functioning in the autumn of 1978.     

CREATION OF A CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL CO‐OPERATION AND SERVICES AT THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

During the late 1960s the United Kingdom was one of many countries which faced a potential educational crisis arising from a growing demand for post‐secondary education linked with inadequate resources for its conventional provision.

“Distance learning” techniques, providing an alternative form of study based on multi‐media methods outside formal educational systems, have emerged in response to this new demand.

Within the sector of higher education the Open University of the United Kingdom is one of the most comprehensive distance learning systems.

Many requests have been made to the University for information on distance education and for advice and assistance in establishing similar ventures elsewhere. In response to these developments the University Senate has created recently a Centre for International Co‐operation and Services (CICS).

We give below information on the main functions of this Centre within the framework of the Open University activities.     

La Statistique: Fin et Moyen dans la Formation de l'ingénieur

RÉUMÉ

In this paper the recent needs and trends in statistics for engineers are discussed, particularly statistics as a motivating and illustrative tool in engineers' technical and methodological education.

Tendances et besoins recents en matière de statistique pour l'ingénieur. Rôe de motivation et d'illustration de la statistique dans sa formation technique et méthodologique.     

THE TRAINING OF ENGINEERS IN THE USSR

Scientific and technical progress is inconceivable without engineers, and the development and improvement of their training is considered as one of the most important prerequisites of the scientific and technological revolution. This is a precondition on which the training of engineers in the USSR is organized. In this context we present an abbreviated Version of an article written by Aleksey Chernichenko.

Planning the development of higher technical education.     

Agricultural information and knowledge network in rural India: a case of Bihar

Purpose: The key informants in a village setup were studied to understand the existing social and knowledge systems of farmers, their structure, and relationships between different actors. The purpose is to identify different channels of information and use them as a means to disseminate agricultural technologies and related information to farmers.

Design: We use the network map analysis in a case study approach as a tool to demonstrate the linkages between the key actors and stakeholders in the information network of farmers.

Findings: The government institutions are well networked among themselves but have limited interactions with non-government sources. Farmers in Bihar have strong linkages with few network actors, who are important nodes in the social knowledge network. The study showed heterogeneity and complexity in the network shape and structure across different districts.

Practical Implications: Knowledge networks and social networks are the drivers of information sharing and play a significant role in the diffusion of agricultural technology and related knowledge. Understanding these networks provides a platform for introducing the agricultural technologies and getting connected to a wider group of farming communities.

Theoretical Implications: The study shows that the network is formed by different actors and their role determine the nature and shape of the network. Knowledge of this heterogeneity is important in designing or revamping agricultural information systems.

Originality: Information and knowledge networks are least explored in the agricultural information dissemination process. Some studies have shown the role of actors and social networks, but this study uniquely explores and presents the heterogeneity of these networks.     

Knowledge systems and value chain integration: the case of linseed production in Ethiopia

Purpose: This study uses data from a sample of 150 oilseed farming households from Arsi Robe, Ethiopia, to assess the impact of different knowledge bases (education, training and experience) and their interactions on linseed productivity.

Methodology: A multiple regression analysis was employed to assess the combined effect of the knowledge bases, factors such as age of the household head, land size, marketing channels and geophysical factors (such as land slope) on linseed productivity.

Findings: The findings reveal no differences in productivity between trained and untrained farmers. They further show that training and the interaction between training and experience positively influence productivity. Our findings, however, reveal farmer education to have an inverse yet insignificant effect on productivity. Furthermore, we found that factors such as the slope of the land and the choice of marketing channel also play an important role in influencing productivity.

Practical implications: Moving away from the traditional top-down approach could be the answer to avoid a mismatch between the information given by trainers and what the farmers actually need.

Theoretical implications: The study used interaction variables of knowledge bases, and attempted to demonstrate the importance of a tacit knowledge base, which is often not well documented and therefore neglected in research.

Originality/value: The research demonstrates the combined effects that interactions between several knowledge bases have on the productivity of linseed farmers.     

Theme D: interaction between engineering education and industrial development

Within a conference devoted to the interaction between engineering education and society, it was only natural to give a place to the contribution of engineering education to industrial development. This rich and undoubtedly delicate topic has been dealt with from three viewpoints:

— the contribution of educational establishments to the actualization of engineers' technological knowledge.

— the participation of industry in the precise definition of curricula.

— the contribution of engineering education to the industrial growth of developing countries.     

University students’ meta-modelling knowledge

Background: As one part of scientific meta-knowledge, students’ meta-modelling knowledge should be promoted on different educational levels such as primary school, secondary school and university. This study focuses on the assessment of university students’ meta-modelling knowledge using a paper–pencil questionnaire.

Purpose: The general purpose of this study was to assess and to describe university students’ meta-modelling knowledge. More specifically, it was analysed to what extent the meta-modelling knowledge, as expressed in a questionnaire, depends on the scientific discipline to which university students relate their answer and the concrete model to which they refer while answering.

Sample: N = 184 students from one German university voluntarily participated in this study.

Design and methods: The questionnaire was developed based on a theoretical framework for model competence and includes constructed response items asking about the purpose of models, ways for testing models and reasons for changing models. Students written answers were first analysed qualitatively based on the theoretical framework to decide whether they expressed advanced understandings or not. Further analyses then were conducted quantitatively.

Results: Findings suggest that only few university students possess an advanced meta-modelling knowledge. However, significant more students who relate their answers to the STEM-disciplines expressed advanced understandings than those who referred to social sciences or linguistics/philology. Furthermore, university students who expressed an advanced meta-modelling knowledge referred to rather abstract kinds of models in order to explain their view.

Conclusions: The present study supports the assumption that meta-modelling knowledge may be situated and contextualised. Both the scientific discipline and the concrete model to which university students refer seem to be relevant item features influencing university students’ expressed meta-modelling knowledge. Implications for assessment and teaching are discussed in the article.     

Socio-economic Factors Affecting Adoption of Modern Information and Communication Technology by Farmers in India: Analysis Using Multivariate Probit Model

Purpose: The paper analyzes factors that affect the likelihood of adoption of different agriculture-related information sources by farmers.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper links the theoretical understanding of the existing multiple sources of information that farmer use, with the empirical model to analyze the factors that affect the farmer's adoption of different agriculture-related information sources. The analysis is done using a multivariate probit model and primary survey data of 1,200 farmer households of five Indo-Gangetic states of India, covering 120 villages.

Findings: The results of the study highlight that farmer's age, education level and farm size influence farmer's behaviour in selecting different sources of information. The results show that farmers use multiple information sources, that may be complementary or substitutes to each other and this also implies that any single source does not satisfy all information needs of the farmer.

Practical implication: If we understand the likelihood of farmer's choice of source of information then direction can be provided and policies can be developed to provide information through those sources in targeted regions with the most effective impact.

Originality/Value: Information plays a key role in a farmer's life by enhancing their knowledge and strengthening their decision-making ability. Farmers use multiple sources of information as no one source is sufficient in itself.