Teacher perception of professional skills in a project-led engineering semester

This study explores the perceptions of teachers with regard to professional skills in project-led engineering education experiences for first year engineering students at the University of Minho, Portugal. Their perception on which professional skills to include, how to develop these skills and how to assess them is studied through six semi-structured interviews with experienced teachers of the first year programme, who served as tutors as well as teachers in at least four projects. Analysis of their perceptions reveals a strong commitment to professional skills for engineering students, and also a lack of confidence in the support they can offer to help students develop these skills.     

Development of mechanical engineering curricula at the University of Minho

The implementation of the Bologna protocol in the European Union has set new goals for the whole higher education system as: (a) a quality assessment for university courses; (b) a framework for the exchange of students and academics; and (c) an opportunity for changing the teaching/learning procedures and methodologies. Within the context, the mechanical engineering curricula at the University of Minho have been comprehensively formulated in order to meet these and future challenges and expectations. The whole process has been based upon various cornerstones: the legal framework for the higher education system; the introduction of new learning methodologies and an accurate survey and understanding of the existing strong and week points of the previous experience. For this purpose, a comprehensive evaluation has been carried out with former students and a detailed map has been formulated regarding their professional careers and experiences. Furthermore, a discussion has been carried out in order to define the mission of the graduate in mechanical engineering. In brief, such mission may be referred by his ability to participate in the wealth creation through technology based innovation. Within this context, the curriculum has been structured in order to meet such goals. In addition to strong foundations in physics and mathematics, new subjects are introduced into the curriculum. The whole education is based upon project development which stimulates the students' initiative, responsibility and their ability to integrate knowledge. Throughout the curriculum, students are enrolled into research projects developed in the department and it is expected that a few selected projects may be taken into a quasi industrial stage.     

Encouraging the learning of hydraulic engineering subjects in agricultural engineering schools

Several methodological approaches to improve the understanding and motivation of students in Hydraulic Engineering courses have been adopted in the Agricultural Engineering School at Technical University of Madrid. During three years student's progress and satisfaction have been assessed by continuous monitoring and the use of ‘online’ and web tools in two undergraduate courses. Results from their application to encourage learning and communication skills in Hydraulic Engineering subjects are analysed and compared to the initial situation. Student's academic performance has improved since their application, but surveys made among students showed that not all the methodological proposals were perceived as beneficial. Their participation in the ‘online’, classroom and reading activities was low although they were well assessed.     

中国工程教育应加速与国际接轨

中国必须制订一个具有国际可比性的工程教育标准，建立国际公认的工程教育质量保证体系和国际通行的工程师注册体系，这是国际工程学位和工程理由资格相互承认的重要基础。它将有利于提高我国工程人才和工程教育在国际上的地位，有利于开发国际教育和工程的服务贸易。     

Experience gained from the application of basic quality assurance procedures in a Greek university engineering department

During the last decade, significant funding has become available to Greek public universities to support the convergence to the common European space of higher education. In a number of departments, this funding was wisely invested in the development of a quality culture, covering not only the educational process, but also the services offered by the department's administration and technical support staff. This paper presents the design and implementation of a quality-oriented studies’ reform plan in the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Thessaly in the period 2002–2008. Based on the successful experience from its application, a significant part of the personnel and students have become acquainted with basic quality assurance procedures and performance evaluation. Experience and lessons learnt from this effort are reported and discussed in this paper.     

新时期高校土木工程专业教学中出现的问题与对策研究

本文论述了新时期高等教育的特点,并分析了这些特点在土木工程专业课程教学中反映出来的具体问题。结合本校的教改实践,介绍了从教材建设、教学内容、关键教学环节、教学方式以及技术手段等方面解决这些问题的经验。     

Teaching engineering/engineering teaching: interdisciplinary collaboration and the construction of academic identities

This paper calls for a debate on effects that the current education system is having on our learners. Many students entering Higher Education struggle to rise to its rigorous academic demands. The need for support services is on the increase with greater focus on key skills, study skills and self-management. Students undertaking higher study can face financial hardship and emotional turmoil in striving to achieve, but the problems do not start here. Much of the trepidation felt by students comes as a result of earlier educational experiences, and is merely exacerbated as their learning experience progresses. It is time to re-assess the whole educational process and to question whether the system exists to encourage learning or to measure failure.     

Evaluating engineering thinking in undergraduate engineering and liberal arts students

ABSTRACT

This study explored if it is possible for liberal arts students to develop engineering professional competencies without detailed engagement with the engineering sciences. Students on a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences programme were compared with their undergraduate peers in Civil Engineering. A new method for evaluating such competencies was developed. Two one-hour individual problem-solving exercises were devised to assess capabilities against 14 criteria, based on the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Competency framework for professional development (2011 The BASc cohort’s scores for each criterion improved notably from the start of term to the end. This cohort rated their capabilities more highly at the end of term and was more satisfied with the answers they gave. Engineering students showed a slight decline in performance against the criteria. Self-evaluation in this group revealed a smaller increase in perceived capability but increased dissatisfaction. Both cohorts felt more anxious about the assignment at the end of the term. PBL environments can improve student competence in attributes associated with professional engineering. The scope of the study is constrained by the small cohort but the findings and evaluation method provide the basis for further development, including detailed statistical evaluation and validation of the evaluation instrument.     

Development of an engineering identity in the engineering curriculum in Dutch higher education: an exploratory study from the teaching staff perspective

How do engineering students develop a professional identity during the course of the curriculum? What are the development mechanisms and important conditions? In an exploratory study among teachers the authors tried to find out whether the development of engineering identity can be understood by using the theoretical models of Ibarra and Sullivan. The results showed that the development of engineering identity is boosted during the internship in industry in the third year. Furthermore, the theoretical models could be recognised in the findings and four interaction types in internships, with significant differences in effect on identity development, could be identified if two dimensions were used: (1) industry supervisors’ perception of students; (2) the professional responsibility awarded. Some recommendations for curriculum improvement could be made; for example, introducing projects into the curriculum to stimulate identity development from the start. Further research is required on students’ preparation for internships.     

农业水利工程专业理论力学课程教学改革探索

理论力学是农业水利工程专业的一门重要基础课,为适应知识经济对创新人才培养的要求,合理进行课程教学改革及提高教学质量势在必行。结合我国高等教育改革和新形势下的教学要求,分析山西农业大学理论力学课堂教学中存在的问题,并提出一套适合本专业的教学改革方案。     

农业工程实验教学示范中心建设的实践与思考

通过农业工程实验教学示范中心的建设实践,对中心建设的指导思想、建设内容、存在问题等做了认真地总结,并对实验教学体系的创建、实验室开放及创新人才的培养模式进行了研究与探索。     

Impact of interdisciplinary learning on the development of engineering students’ skills

ABSTRACT

This paper intends to present an interdisciplinary project carried out in a School of Engineering, and to refer to its effects in the development of students’ skills. This project’s main goal was to present students with an intellectually demanding challenge which implied overcoming the disciplinary barriers thus integrating knowledge to solve the problems they were challenged with. After the project had been concluded, a study was carried out using a qualitative methodology by conducting two focus groups (n?=?16). The main goal of this procedure was to get a better perception of (1) how students understood the project; (2) what kind of skills students considered to have developed throughout the project, and (3) the importance they have attributed to this kind of project. The results demonstrate that students are aware of the relevance of the project not only for their education process but also for the development of their skills. The results of the study also reveal that the students involved in the project have been capable of identifying the specific skills that the project work had intended to address and develop.     

How many hours of instruction are needed for students to become competent in engineering subjects?

The aim of this work was to compare the curricula of three different agricultural engineering courses and to determine the competence of graduating students in three subject areas in order to identify possible shortfalls in the number of hours of instruction (HI) required for full competence to be attained.

A total of 132 students sat a voluntary examination in the final year of their studies to determine their competence in three subject areas: electrical facilities, machinery and construction. The degree courses completed by these students are meant to provide them with the legal standing required to undertake infrastructure projects in agricultural installations.

This work detected significant differences in the competence of graduates in the mentioned subjects, depending on the number of HI they had received. Students who had received under 120 HI in these subjects were found to be significantly less competent than those who had received more.     

农业机械化工程数字样机教学资源开发

提出利用数字样机开发技术进行教学资源建设和开发,阐述了数字样机教学资源的技术内涵和开发原则,基于数字样机开发技术建立了用于农业机械化工程教学的典型零部件、典型机构和典型整机的数字化模型,并利用这些模型开展机械结构认知、机构运动分析、工作原理演示等多种形式的仿真教学。     

Conceptual and procedural approaches to mathematics in the engineering curriculum: views of qualified engineers*

The research interest underpinning this paper concerns the type of mathematical knowledge engineering students may acquire during their specialised education in terms of the conceptual and procedural dimensions of doing and using mathematics. This study draws on interviews with 25 qualified engineers from South Africa and Sweden regarding their views on the role of mathematics in engineering education, with special focus on the conceptual and procedural aspects of mathematical knowledge. A thematic analysis of the interview data led to the identification of two main themes. According to the conceptual view a predominantly conceptual approach is needed and valued more than procedural skills, while the balanced view emphasises a balance of conceptual understanding and procedural fluency as well as links between them. It is suggested that the mathematical education of engineers would need to be more conceptually oriented to prepare for the demands at the workplace.     

Computer science and engineering: utilizing action research and lesson study

ABSTRACT

This article explores one group’s use of action research (AR) and lesson study in three US university-level computer science courses affecting 85 undergraduate computer science and engineering students. It offers an overview of three areas including AR, lesson study, and engineering soft skills. The research group identified a problem: undergraduate engineering student soft skill understanding. The group collaborated to enhance participant engagement with this problem by utilizing one lesson focused on soft skills over three research lesson iterations in three distinct university semesters (2017-2018). Field notes were the main data collection method. Observational field notes were recorded in the three research lesson iterations, and themes from the notes were identified. The group valued peer interactions, and the research lesson adaptations as well as pedagogical changes were based on evidence. Four themes were identified, and participant comments were considered as the lessons became more focused . The research group argues that AR and lesson study are separate and distinct ventures based on this yearlong experience, which is counter to some other literature presented. Implications are large for all stakeholders interested in AR, lesson study, soft skill utilization, conflict management, and participant learning impact. Possibilities for enhanced participant engagement exists with honed lesson pedagogy.     

从双语教育的特点看双语教师的专业素养

双语教师应具备的专业素养是基于我国双语教育的特点的理论探讨以及我国双语教学实践的调查提出的.我国的双语教育有其自身的特点.它是单语制国家里的、汉语/英语分属两种不同语系的、以提高学生英语应用能力为目的的、非少数民族语言/汉语的双语教育.因此,双语教师需具备具有双语教育特点的专业素养:独特的双语教育知识结构、科学的双语教学机智以及崇高的双语教育职业理想.     

软件工程专业人才培养模式的改革与创新

传统高等教育模式下的软件人才培养质量不高,难以满足市场需求,其主要原因是人才培养过程中缺少社会的直接参与,没有形成良好的人才培养和使用的反馈机制;为此通过校企联合创建了“3+1”人才培养新模式,将社会资源融入高等教育的人才培养过程,显著提高了软件工程专业的人才培养质量。     

Influence of firm size on the competencies required to management engineers in the Jordanian telecommunications sector

The objective of this study is to identify the competencies required to achieve success in the transition from higher education to the labour market based on the perceptions of employers. This paper analyses the assessments made by a group of engineering company employers. An item-battery of 20 competencies was grouped into 3 dimensions by using factor analysis. Subsequently, respondents’ scores were also clustered into three groups and characterised through contingency tables. The competencies demanded by employers were grouped into business and finance, problem-solving and strategic planning. Significant differences were found between responses from employers working in medium and small companies, who placed more importance on competencies related to problem-solving and strategic planning, and employers in big companies, who were more concerned about the difficulties of finding well-trained graduates. The findings from this paper have important implications for research in the areas of higher education and organisations that usually employ graduate engineers.