At the University of Cambridge, UK, we have developed, used, and evaluated a new exercise in Process Dynamics and Control incorporating a Web-based experiment physically located at MIT. We describe the experimental equipment, the interface used, the new exercise, and report on the student evaluation. The successful realization of this exercise…

For most students assessment guides their study and learning practice. Yet in the literature associated with the first year of study at university, few have mobilised the power of assessment to develop and engage first year undergraduate students. This paper presents a model of assessment for first year students which separates the semester into…

As governors move this important STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) policy agenda forward, they may find that some of their constituents have yet to be persuaded of the need for improvement. Some citizens and stakeholders may fail to grasp the strong link between high-quality STEM education and economic development in the…

Since the publication of the Standards for Technological Literacy in 2000 (ITEA), there have been a number of new programs developed that are designed to teach pre-engineering. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is one such program. Project Lead the Way boasts serving over 1250 schools in 44 states and teaching over 160,000 students. Another program is…

This paper is based on the experience acquired in teaching materials science/engineering to first year university students. It has been observed that students struggle with some of the fundamental materials concepts addressed in the module/course. This applies to delivered lectures but extends to the incorporation of tutorial sessions provided…

"Chemical Engineering Modeling" is a first-semester graduate course traditionally taught in a lecture format at Oklahoma State University. The course as taught by the author for the past seven years focuses on numerical and mathematical methods as necessary skills for incoming graduate students. Recent changes to the course have included Visual…

Purpose: This paper aims to demonstrate how science and engineering graduates can be recruited and trained to Masters level in precision engineering as an aid to reducing the skills shortage of mechanical engineers in UK industry. Design/methodology/approach: The paper describes a partnership between three UK academic institutions and industry,…

This article focuses on the important role of applications in teaching mathematics to students with career paths other than mathematics. These include the fields as diverse as education, engineering, business, and life sciences. Particular attention is given to instructional computing as a means for concept development in mathematics education…

Two Maryland colleges (one a four-year liberal arts college for women, and one a public community college) have worked to increase the number of graduates, especially women and other under-represented groups, in their computer science, computer information systems, engineering, and mathematics programs over a four-year period. In August 2004, they…

The U.S. Department of Education recently published a notice of draft priorities and requirements for applying for "Race to the Top" (RTT) funding--$4.35 billion in competitive federal grants. Even though it constitutes the smallest piece of education stimulus funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, "Race to the…

New Mexico's unique demographics and rich intellectual assets, including two of the three largest national engineering and science research laboratories in the country (Sandia and Los Alamos), provide an excellent national setting for educational transformation. With approximately 320,000 K-12 students, New Mexico's demographics are distinctive:…

This article uses the notion of professional identity within the framework of actor network theory to understand didactic practices within three faculties in an institution of higher education. The study is based on a series of interviews with lecturers in each faculty and diaries of their didactic practices. The article focuses on the use of a…

A study assessed labor shortages in the United States by conducting case studies of four occupations: special education teachers, paraprofessional home care workers, electrical and electronic engineers, and tool and die makers. The research approach combined analysis of existing data sources and interviews with individuals knowledgeable about the…

The papers and research reports comprising the ten chapters of this monograph were originally prepared as background information for a national study of engineering technology education in the United States. Chapter I briefly describes the historical and contemporary settings of engineering technology education. After Chapter II provides…

This book presents 16 papers on problems and innovations in postsecondary engineering education. An introduction discusses the major issues currently facing engineering education. Chapter 2 briefly reviews the papers which are grouped under topics. Three of thee papers comment on teaching non-technical matters and attitudes. Two papers point out…