10 research outputs found
An approach to developing independent learning and non-technical skills amongst final year mining engineering students
There is mounting evidence to show that engineers need more than technical skills to succeed
in industry. In this paper we describe a curriculum innovation in which so-called âsoftâ skills,
specifically inter-personal and intra-personal skills, were integrated into a final year mining
engineering course. The instructional approach was designed to promote independent
learning and to develop non-technical skills, essential for students on the threshold of
becoming practising engineers. Three psychometric tests were administered at the beginning
of the course to make students aware of their own and their classmatesâ characteristics.
Substantial prescribed reading assignments preceded weekly group discussions. Several
projects during the course required team work skills and application of content knowledge to
real-world contexts. Results obtained from studentsâ reflection papers, assignments related to
âsoftâ skills and end of course evaluations suggest that studentsâ appreciation of the need for
these skills, as well as their own perceived competence, increased during the course. Their
ability to function as independent learners also increased.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ceee20ai201
The Sasol Engineering and Leadership Academy
Contrary to the way it is often portrayed, the average organization or
company is far from being a cold, calculating machine. It is actually a
highly emotive place where interaction with people is a fundamental part
of its ability to perform satisfactorily.
The company, through its employers, expects employees, including new
graduates, to have the ability to cope adequately with this emotive
environment. The graduate is frequently unable to meet this expectation
because he/she has not been developed to do so. Technical knowledge is
his only asset. This deficiency manifests itself in leadership shortcomings,
both intrapersonal and interpersonal. Further analysis reveals a deficiency
in three elements of leadership â self-awareness, oral communication, and
an ability to work cooperatively in teams.
To address these three elements of leadership, Sasol Coal, a subsidiary
of the big petrochemical company in South Africa, sponsored a leadership
programme at the University of Pretoria for their final-year bursary
students in the faculty of Engineering. This programme, the Sasol
Engineering and Leadership Academy (SELA), consisted of a number of
interventions designed to address the three areas of self-awareness, oral
communication, and cooperative behaviour in teams. These interventions
varied from an intrapersonal nature to interpersonal aspects. Psychometric
assessments were followed by experiential modules dealing with the three
constructs.
SELA was evaluated at the end of the year. The results showed a
positive shift in the main constructs of self-awareness, communications,
and cooperation. This was measured quantitatively and qualitatively.
Conclusions were drawn and recommendations for improving the
programme were proposed.http://www.saimm.co.za/journal-papersam201
Iowa Crop Variety Yield Testing: A History and Annotated Bibliography
Variety testing by U.S. agricultural universities, often in cooperation with experiment stations, and professional crop associations is recognized as an independent, unbiased validation of the viability of commercial crop varieties. In Iowa, variety testing has also been conducted by many private agricultural companies and individual farmers. Records for crop variety evaluations within the state can be traced back to 1871, well before the creation of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station in 1888. The Iowa Corn Yield Test (ICYT) is undeniably the most famous of the Iowa variety yield trials; however, corn (Zea mays L.) varieties were being tested long before that program was initiated. Furthermore, Iowa researchers have been conducting variety yield tests on many other field crops. Knowledge of how Iowa variety tests have been organized and published could be helpful to researchers looking for similar, long-term evaluations from other states and around the world. Variety tests from the past also have the potential to help guide new research efforts and may provide an important untapped resource for unique varietal data. As crop scientists and agronomists look to find new sources for biofuels, bio-products, and other industrial uses for various crops, data from historical varieties could be useful. The objective for this review is to provide an historic account with sections on varietal testing in Iowa. It is presented in chronological order followed by sections devoted to specific crops. A Supplemental Information file containing a detailed annotated bibliography is also provided
Exploring the Benefits of Project-Based Pilot Plant Experience for Chemical Engineering Undergraduates
The process operations and management (POM) module offered by the University of Surreyâs Chemical and Process Engineering Department, in which students take charge of pilot-scale industrial equipment, is thought to create a learning environment which challenges undergraduates to develop their transferable skills. This study aimed to assess how effective the POM module is at improving student perceptions of their transferable skills by using questionnaires. The students reported high learning in the areas assessed, and an increased appreciation for transferable skills. The results indicate that the interest in UK Chemical Engineering departments for using pilot plants as a tool for effective teaching is justified, although care must be taken to make the most of the opportunities they provide when designing the modules that use them
An approach to developing independent learning and non-technical skills amongst final year mining engineering students
There is mounting evidence to show that engineers need more than technical skills to succeed
in industry. In this paper we describe a curriculum innovation in which so-called âsoftâ skills,
specifically inter-personal and intra-personal skills, were integrated into a final year mining
engineering course. The instructional approach was designed to promote independent
learning and to develop non-technical skills, essential for students on the threshold of
becoming practising engineers. Three psychometric tests were administered at the beginning
of the course to make students aware of their own and their classmatesâ characteristics.
Substantial prescribed reading assignments preceded weekly group discussions. Several
projects during the course required team work skills and application of content knowledge to
real-world contexts. Results obtained from studentsâ reflection papers, assignments related to
âsoftâ skills and end of course evaluations suggest that studentsâ appreciation of the need for
these skills, as well as their own perceived competence, increased during the course. Their
ability to function as independent learners also increased.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ceee20ai201
Team Effectiveness Theory from Industrial and Organizational Psychology Applied to Engineering Student Project Teams: A Research Review
Background
Engineering student team projects are frequently used to meet professional learning outcomes. Industrial and organizational psychologists study teams in the industry settings for which we prepare students, yet this research does not effectively inform engineering education. Purpose
This research review sought to demonstrate the relevance of literature on teams literature from industrial and organizational psychology to engineering education and to identify implications for practice and future directions for research. Scope/Method
Phase 1 systematically reviewed 104 articles published from 2007 to 2012 describing engineering and computer science student team projects and sought to answer the following questions: What professional learning outcomes have been met by team projects? What negative student team behaviors have faculty sought to minimize? What literature has been used to inform development of teamwork outcomes? Phase 2 reviewed five team effectiveness constructs selected according to the results of Phase 1: social loafing, interdependence, conflict, trust, and shared mental models. Examples from Phase 1 articles and our own work explain how this research informs facilitation and assessment of engineering student teams. Conclusions
Engineering faculty sought to achieve a variety of outcomes through team projects, including teamwork, communication, sustainability, and consideration of global/societal design context. They sought to avoid social loafing and conflict while building trust to ensure equal team effort. That few Phase 1 articles engaged the literature about team effectiveness indicates there is great opportunity to apply industrial and organizational psychology research to engineering education