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Course content and tools, Curriculum development, Instructional methodologies, Learning outcomes and assessment, Visualization
Student Poster Abstracts, available categories:
Freshman/Sophomore Engineering Design Teams
Abstract
Although communication skills are highly valued by engineering associations and companies, instructors may find it difficult to incorporate them into specific engineering courses. Some attention has been given to research on undergraduate students’ communication skills. However, additional research and training is needed to help instructors develop curricula -- the type that can enhance students’ communication skills -- in technical subjects like engineering graphics. Such work can help engineering programs offer increased opportunities for students to continually develop desirable professional traits throughout their collegiate experience. This paper will explore the implementation of a team-based graphics course project -- one that focused on enhancing engineering students’ communication skills -- and provide recommendations for faculty teaching similar courses. Findings from open-ended survey questions indicate that students learned the importance of preparation, time management, organization, clarity, detail, and engagement. By working in a project team, students also learned patience and task delegation.
Enhancing Engineering Students’ Communication Skills through a Team-Based Graphics Course Project
Although communication skills are highly valued by engineering associations and companies, instructors may find it difficult to incorporate them into specific engineering courses. Some attention has been given to research on undergraduate students’ communication skills. However, additional research and training is needed to help instructors develop curricula -- the type that can enhance students’ communication skills -- in technical subjects like engineering graphics. Such work can help engineering programs offer increased opportunities for students to continually develop desirable professional traits throughout their collegiate experience. This paper will explore the implementation of a team-based graphics course project -- one that focused on enhancing engineering students’ communication skills -- and provide recommendations for faculty teaching similar courses. Findings from open-ended survey questions indicate that students learned the importance of preparation, time management, organization, clarity, detail, and engagement. By working in a project team, students also learned patience and task delegation.