In this paper I'll share a personal overview of pedagogy in general. This will include a listing of my personal choices of the major events, from about 1950 onwards, that have had an impact on how I try to facilitate learning. The events occurred in Canada, the United States, UK and Australia. Some were publications; some were local,…

Describes the importance of cooperative education, summer internships, or part-time undergraduate research, for students with lack of ability to visualize the process of thinking like an engineer and understanding the role of engineering in society although they have math and intuitive skills. Discusses the role of cooperative education in student…

Describes what young professors can do considering student motivation, learning styles, and instructional effectiveness to improve student learning. Lists recommendations from experts on how to improve student learning. Includes 25 references. (Author/YDS)

Presents examples of how universities will undergo technological change during the next 10-20 years and how that will affect faculty and student processes. New students will expect the ubiquitous availability of information technology in higher education. To maintain their core values, universities must adapt to the explosion in technological…

Papers comparing technology-based and traditional course offerings are appearing with regularity and technology looks better all the time. Universities that specialize in distance education are using multimedia courseware and the Internet effectively, and the quality of their offerings is gaining increased recognition. Speculates on the future of…

Introduces a set of papers in this journal issue that address outcomes assessment in engineering education. Discusses the reasons and methods for outcomes assessment. (WRM)

Discusses the opportunities and dangers associated with various aspects of implementing the Engineering Criteria 2000. Topics include: (1) understanding the continuous quality improvement process; (2) use of assessment terminology; (3) development of performance criteria; (4) use of local resources; (5) hiring an expert to aid the transition; (6)…

Outlines the basics of outcomes assessment, describes a format useful for assessment preparation, summarizes some lessons learned from a 1996 pilot visit conducted at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and discusses some consequences of outcomes assessment. (WRM)

Suggests that it takes more than a good undergraduate education to get the most out of graduate school. Provides advice and recommendations to science and engineering graduate students. (Author/CCM)

Claims that in engineering communication, there are two basic types of non-truths: lies and deception. Discusses the well-defined operational difference between a lie and a deception. (CCM)

Speculates about the future responsiveness of chemical engineering curricula to changes in the chemical industry. Focuses on changes in the chemical industry, the status of academia, and possible curricular changes. (DDR)

New faculty members rarely receive guidance on how to be a faculty member, and entry into the profession gets more difficult over time. Lists common characteristics of new faculty members including characteristics of those labeled as quick starters. (DDR)

Describes the nature of particle technology and outlines the expectations that industry has regarding particle technology, the services and resources that support the field, and the preparation in particle technology for technical graduates. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Responds to the suggestion that computational tools be used in undergraduate thermodynamics courses. Argues that instead of using spreadsheets or specially prepared programs, students can quickly develop their own worksheets and solve problems using an equation-solving software program such as MATHCAD. Emphasis is on understanding the fundamentals…

Discusses use of peer review, a teaching assessment technique in which faculty members observe and evaluate classroom instruction. More specifically addresses summative reviews. Outlines critical questions that should be raised whenever peer review is contemplated and some suggested answers. Sample questions include: Who should do the reviewing?…