ERIC Number: EJ1076049
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1941-1766
EISSN: N/A
Using Concept Maps to Assess Interdisciplinary Integration of Green Engineering Knowledge
Borrego, Maura; Newswander, Chad B.; McNair, Lisa D.; McGinnis, Sean; Paretti, Marie C.
Advances in Engineering Education, v1 n3 Win 2009
Engineering education, like many fields, has started to explore the benefits of concept maps as an assessment technique for knowledge integration. Because they allow students to graphically link topics and represent complex interconnections among diverse concepts, we argue that concept maps are particularly appropriate for assessing interdisciplinary knowledge integration. The results from a year-long study of a design course in green engineering demonstrate the viability of this approach. However, this research also highlights important issues in faculty scoring of interdisciplinary concept maps that may not be present when maps are used in traditional single-discipline settings. The interdisciplinary setting revealed differences in (1) evaluation criteria, (2) expertise, and (3) investment. We conclude with suggestions for selecting and training scorers to address these issues.
Descriptors: Concept Mapping, Engineering Education, Design, Conservation (Environment), Interdisciplinary Approach, Sustainability, Evaluation Methods, Scoring, College Students, Environmental Education, Biological Sciences, Industry, Marketing, Majors (Students), Pretests Posttests, Scores, Mixed Methods Research
American Society for Engineering Education. 1818 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 412-624-6815; Fax: 412-624-1108; Web site: http://advances.asee.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: DUE-0633537; EE C-0648439