Cornell University's College of Engineering TA Development Program trains experienced engineering graduate students, called TA Fellows, to deliver instruction in teaching to new teaching assistants (TAs). Two TA Fellows act as co-facilitators at all times, in all workshops. The instruction is grounded in engineering case study and delivered using…

Argues that the changes in the context of engineering requires new approaches within the curriculum and by promoting active learning and encouraging students to experiment and be more creative. eLearning is one of an important number of strategies for achieving the paradigm shift that is required. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/YDS)

Surveys graduate and undergraduate mechanical engineering students at the University of Auckland. Shows that the dominant work activities of New Zealand mechanical engineers include design and consultancy and that graduate engineers rapidly migrate into management. (Author/CCM)

Demonstrates the job-analysis technique for evaluating and updating syllabi. Examines the correspondence between the training syllabus for the Bachelor of Technology in Engineering and practical engineers in the area of biotechnology. (Author/CCM)

Describes an investigation of first-year chemical engineering students' understanding of the mole concept. Finds that a series of activities designed to provide students with visual or experiential points of reference for the mole concept had a strong positive effect on student misconceptions. Contains 16 references. (Author/WRM)

Describes a discipline-specific communication course for engineering students offered by a Canadian university. Suggests that a pedagogical approach based on North American theories of genre and theories of situated learning can be used to design communication courses tailored to the needs of any discipline under certain conditions. Lists three…

Gives a theoretical rationale for a portfolio evaluation project and describes a directly applicable structure and procedure for such a project. Discusses how the task of assessing the efficacy of technical communication service courses provides an opportunity to learn more about student and faculty needs and to update and improve curriculum. (SC)

Examines the physical health risks attributed to poor furniture and equipment ergonomics and looks at ways to help assure that furniture and equipment purchases and practices are ergonomically sound. Cautions to be wary wary of marketing hype that a company's furniture is ergonomically set, and acquire adjustable furniture and encourage students…

Mechanical engineering and business student teams developed new products using a corporate sponsor's technology in a simulated business setting. Students learned about product development and venture start-up, and the sponsor gained new applications for its patented technology. (SK)

Explains the relationship between memory and learning and focuses on the psychological basis of learning, student motivation, and behavioral traits. Describes how learning experiences can be implemented in engineering education. (Contains 25 references.) (YDS)

Summarizes the demands from industry that engineers of the future will have to meet and relates them to characteristics of modern training methods. A new view on the content of the engineer's education implies a new set of educational tools. (Author/MM)

Reports on the introduction of a computer conferencing component into an engineering course at Deakin University (Australia) Results showed significant variations in computer usage that were correlated to student study mode, and on-campus students were more likely to agree that computers could assist their learning. (Author/LRW)

Discusses nuclear power and the consequences of a nuclear accident. Covers issues ranging from chemical process safety to risk management of chemical industries to the ethical responsibilities of the chemical engineer. (Author/ASK)

Focuses on educational changes that seem necessary for future graduates to take up the emerging social and ethical challenges of their profession. Summarizes some Australian initiatives, presents some approaches to teaching ethics, and suggests some ways to encourage both the study of ethics and actual ethical practices. Outlines the changes in…

Pierre Bezier was born on September 1 in Paris, 1910. Choosing the career path of his father, he gained electrical and mechanical engineering degrees by the time he was 21 years old. He began working for the car company Renault and stayed there for the next 42 years. In 1977 he received a doctorate in mathematics. Bezier, at the age of 50 began…