信息技术课程之工程思维辨析

运用"科学—技术—工程"三元论考察工程与科学、技术的关系,阐述工程思维的特征,从工程思维视角分析信息技术课程发展和教学内容,并提出通过中小学信息技术课程培养学生的工程思维。     

Working towards a scalable model of problem-based learning instruction in undergraduate engineering education

The intent of the study presented in this paper is to show that the model of problem-based learning (PBL) can be made scalable by designing curriculum around a set of open-ended problems (OEPs). The detailed statistical analysis of the data collected to measure the effects of traditional and PBL instructions for three courses in Electronics and Communication Engineering, namely Analog Electronics, Digital Electronics and Pulse, Digital & Switching Circuits is presented here. It measures the effects of pedagogy, gender and cognitive styles on the knowledge, skill and attitude of the students. The study was conducted two times with content designed around same set of OEPs but with two different trained facilitators for all the three courses. The repeatability of results for effects of the independent parameters on dependent parameters is studied and inferences are drawn.     

‘Human nature’: Chemical engineering students’ ideas about human relationships with the natural world

While importance of environmental ethics, as a component of sustainable development, in preparing engineers is widely acknowledged, little research has addressed chemical engineers’ environmental concerns. This study aimed to address this void by exploring chemical engineering students’ values regarding human–nature relationships. The study was conducted with 247 3rd–4th year chemical engineering students in Israeli Universities. It employed the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP)-questionnaire to which students added written explanations. Quantitative analysis of NEP-scale results shows that the students demonstrated moderately ecocentric orientation. Explanations to the NEP-items reveal diverse, ambivalent ideas regarding the notions embodied in the NEP, strong scientific orientation and reliance on technology for addressing environmental challenges. Endorsing sustainability implies that today's engineers be equipped with an ecological perspective. The capacity of Higher Education to enable engineers to develop dispositions about human–nature interrelationships requires adaptation of curricula towards multidisciplinary, integrative learning addressing social–political–economic–ethical perspectives, and implementing critical-thinking within the socio-scientific issues pedagogical approach.     

Teaching global engineering in Canada,learning informality of the Global South

Globalisation has inspired a wide assortment of curricular initiatives within engineering education in the USA and Europe. This interest could be categorised in multiple directions – international exposure, service learning, or critical understanding and praxis. In Canada, however, there has been far less consideration for integrating globalisation within the engineering curriculum. The recent episode of reform initiated by the Canadian Board of Engineering Accreditation could usher in changes on this front. Situating the development of a course titled Development and Global Engineering within these broader conceptual and organisational impulses, this paper will illuminate a pathway towards understanding globalisation, especially within the Global South, through a comprehension of complexity and informality.     

Engineering students’ sustainability approaches

Sustainability issues are increasingly important in engineering work all over the world. This article explores systematic differences in self-assessed competencies, interests, importance, engagement and practices of newly enrolled engineering students in Denmark in relation to environmental and non-environmental sustainability issues. The empirical base of the article is a nation-wide, web-based survey sent to all newly enrolled engineering students in Denmark commencing their education in the fall term 2010. The response rate was 46%. The survey focused on a variety of different aspects of what can be conceived as sustainability. By means of cluster analysis, three engineering student approaches to sustainability are identified and described. The article provides knowledge on the different prerequisites of engineering students in relation to the role of sustainability in engineering. This information is important input to educators trying to target new engineering students and contribute to the provision of engineers equipped to meet sustainability challenges.     

“卓越工程师教育培养计划”模式下的高校工科教师专业化建设

"卓越计划"作为由政府主导,由高校和企业参加的三方合作行为,有明确的培养目标、基本原则和实施特点。为顺利实施"卓越计划",高等工科院校应进行与"卓越计划"要求相适应的教师专业化建设。"卓越计划"模式下高校工科教师专业化应是集满足"卓越计划"实施要求的教育性、学术性、社会性、创新性和工程实践性为一体的动态发展过程。因此,应通过提供政策、制定法规、健全机制和追求卓越,从政府、学校和教师个人三个方面着手来加强高校工科教师的专业化建设。     

深海工程创新实验基地建设

深海工程技术是国家综合实力的集中体现,也是当前世界科学技术优先发展的方向之一。阐述了深海工程创新实验基地建设的背景和国家政策导向以及对我国维护主权的作用和意义,同时,结合本创新实验基地的特点,分析了其主要功能及其能够解决的主要科学问题。     

基于学生创新能力培养的压裂酸化实验教学平台构建

介绍了压裂酸化实验教学平台的构建内容、实验装置的改进与完善以及实验平台的管理模式,对实验教学方法进行了改革,叙述了取得的教学效果,探索了提高学生知识运用与创新实践能力的具体手段和方法。     

多媒体化工原理实验手册制作及应用研究

在实验教学与理论教学不同步的情况下,为提高实验预习效果,制作了多媒体化工原理实验手册。手册采用Windows操作系统,Adobe Dreamware网页制作平台连接多媒体,以Microsoft Word和Webcompile制作电子书,以Microsoft PowerPoint制作PPS格式自动播放讲稿,以Webexe将主页面转化为可执行程序并用WinRAR封装为自解压自动运行文件。制作的多媒体实验手册亦可直接转化为在线学习系统。以气-气列管换热实验为例,对比分析发现,多媒体实验手册可有效提高预习效果。