Strategies for Engaging Engineering Faculty in Continuing Education

This presentation was part of the session : Practical Strategies for Engaging Engineering Faculty in Continuing Education ITerry J. Reed: Director, Engineering Continuing & Distance Education, Penn State University, University, University Park, PA, USA. Mr. Reed received B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. Thomas M. Iwinski: eLearning Specialist, Engineering Continuing & Distance Education, Penn State University, University, University Park, PA, USA. Mr. Iwinski received a B.S. in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in Instructional Technologies from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Deborah L. Zimmerman: Program Manager, Engineering Continuing & Distance Education, Penn State University, University, University Park, PA, USA. Ms. Zimmerman has over 30 years of experience working with faculty on continuing and distance programs. John M. Mason: Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies, and Outreach; Professor of Civil Engineering; and Director of the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute in the College of Engineering, Penn State University, University, University Park, PA, USA. Dr. Mason received a B.S. in Transportation from Penn State, an M.S. in Transportation Engineering from Villanova University, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.IACEE 11th World Conference on Continuing Engineering EducationEngaging engineering faculty at a large research university in continuing education is a challenge because faculty choose to invest their time and talents in other activities which are perceived to have higher benefits. This paper describes strategies that can be employed to increase the benefits of continuing education activities to make them more attractive. These strategies include reducing the faculty time requirements and increasing the rewards. The paper illustrates how these strategies have been applied to the activities necessary for the design, production and delivery a graduate level credit course taught to distant students.Distance Learning and Professional Education ; International Association for Continuing Engineering Educatio