Transcript Working with Departments: an evolving strategy for the

Examples from Engineering
Education
Presented by:
Prof Mike Bramhall
[email protected]
Developing STEM education research practices
Descriptions of curriculum
developments and their effects on
the student experience
e.g.
• 'Engineers and business' - using cross disciplinary activities
•'Computer assessment in the teaching of design students'
Using data such as increased pass rates, student comments,
staff comments
Developing STEM education research practices
Action research: "Evaluation of the
use of interactive textbooks: do they
facilitate deeper learning?"
•First year - minimum tutor support
•Second time through - structured approach, with worksheets
and tutor support
Data collected: Module pass rates, student comments
Developing STEM education research practices
"Students' impressions of a hybrid
real and simulation laboratory"
Euan Lindsay, Curtin University, Australia
"Do the student experiences show that they are supportive of
virtual experiences compared to real?"
Data collected: Student survey half way through and at the end
of the semester.
http://www.ee2006.info/docs/09.pdf
Developing STEM education research practices
"Working experience, learning
overview factors and performance of
engineering and computing majors:
a study in continuing education"
N Abu Hasan, University Teknologi, Malaysia
"How does an individual's learning overview affect their
performance?"
Data collected: Questionnaires - student profiles, age, marital
status, personal responsibilities, distance travelled to campus.
Learning overview: reasons for study, attitude on motivation,
understanding, soft skills, application, experience in general
Developing STEM education research practices
"Improving student academic
achievement through hypermedia
instruction - a comparative study"
M. Zywno, Ryerson University, Canada
Research hypothesis: "Does hypermedia instruction (e.g.
simulation tools, expert systems - MATLAB, PSPICE)
significantly improve academic achievement as compared with
conventional instruction?"
Second hypothesis: " Is hypermedia instruction more effective
for previously lower- achieving students?"
Data collected: Questionnaires, previous achievements,
module results.
Developing STEM education research practices
"Student reflections on the learning
process"
W. Houghton, University of Exeter, UK
Research question: "Does student weekly review and reflection
of their studies affect their overall performance and improve
retention?"
Second question: " What effect does entry qualifications and
attendance have on student success?"
Data collected: Asking around 100 engineering first year students to
review their learning at the end of each week during first term. (over 2
years) - using multi-choice and open ended questions. Feedback given
to each student by study skills counsellor.
End of year self-appraisal; attendance record; summative assessment
results
Developing STEM education research practices
UKCME – How we can help
UKCME Project Funding:
(e.g. Teaching Development Grants, and
Materials Awareness Grants)
Awareness-Raising Events:
Example Activities:
• Recruitment booklet
• Taster Courses
• Public Understanding
(e.g. Workshops, Conferences, Courses)
Departmental Support:
(e.g. Supported Change Programme, Visits)
UKCME Information & Resources:
(e.g. Website, Database, Publications)
Example Activities:
• Database of Resources
• ‘Materials Interactive’
• ‘Why Study Materials’
www.materials.ac.uk
Effective Schools Liaison Activities, 29th March 2007, University of Oxford