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ERIC Number: EJ1056135
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2157-9288
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Do Goals Matter in Engineering Education? An Exploration of How Goals Influence Outcomes for "FIRST" Robotics Participants
Skorinko, Jeanine L.; Doyle, James K.; Tryggvason, Gretar
Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, v2 n2 Article 3 p9-20 2012
It has long been recognized that engineers need a variety of skills, including technical and social, to succeed professionally. Attempts to include social skills (i.e., communication, teamwork, and leadership) in engineering education are relatively recent (i.e., within the last decade). Thus, the current study investigates whether social goals influence academic and social outcomes. Four hundred and three high-school aged "FIRST" robotics participants (262 male; 146 female; 22 not specified) completed a survey about their experiences in "FIRST." Prior to completing the survey, participants learned that an important goal of "FIRST" was a) social networking, b) academic learning, or c) no goal. Academic and social outcomes were assessed at the beginning and end of the season, but the goal instructions were administered only at the beginning of the season. The findings show that the goals promoted can dramatically influence social and academic outcomes. The implications this has for engineering programs are discussed.
Purdue University Press. Stewart Center Room 370, 504 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Tel: 800-247-6553; Fax: 419-281-6883; e-mail: pupress@purdue,edu; Web site: http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/jpeer/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada; Israel; United Kingdom (England); United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: EEC 0750192
Author Affiliations: N/A