Designing Better Engineering Education Through Assessment

Designing Better Engineering Education Through Assessment

This book is written for engineering faculty and department chairs as a practical guide to improving the assessment processes for undergraduate and graduate engineering education in the service of improved student learning. It is written by engineering faculty and assessment professionals who have many years of experience in assessment of engineering education and of working with engineering faculty. The book reflects the emphasis placed on student outcomes assessment by ABET, Inc., the organization that accredits most U.S. engineering, computer science and technology programs, as well as providing substantial equivalency evaluations to international engineering programs. The book begins with a brief overview of assessment theory and introduces readers to key assessment resources. It illustrates–through practical examples that reflect a wide range of engineering disciplines and practices at both large and small institutions, and along the continuum of students’ experience, from first year to capstone engineering courses through to the dissertation–how to go about applying formative and summative assessment practices to improve student learning at the course and program levels. For most institutions, assessment of graduate education is new; therefore, there are readers who will be particularly interested in the chapters and examples related to graduate education. This book concludes with a vision for the future of assessment for engineering education. The authors cover five basic themes:· Use of assessment to improve student learning and educational programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels· Understanding and applying ABET criteria to accomplish differing program and institutional missions· Illustration of evaluation/assessment activities that can assist faculty in improving undergraduate and graduate courses and programs· Description of tools and methods that have been demonstrated to improve the quality of degree programs and maintain accreditation· Identification of methods for overcoming institutional barriers and challenges to implementing assessment initiatives.

Designing Better Engineering Education Through Assessment

The Flipped Classroom

Teaching and learning within higher education continues to evolve with innovative and new practices such as flipped teaching. This book contributes to the literature by developing a much deeper understanding of the complex phenomenon of flipped classroom approaches within higher education. It also serves as a practical guide to implementing flipped classroom teaching in academic practice across different higher educational institutions and disciplines. Part 1 of this book (Practice) describes the considerations involved in flipped classroom teaching, including the challenges faced in transforming teaching and learning within higher education. Further, it reviews the educational concepts on which the flipped classroom is based, including a selected history of similar innovations in the past. The final sections of Part 1 explore the tools needed for flipping, the design steps, assessment methods and the role of reflective practice within flipped teaching environments. “p>Part 2 of the book (Practices) provides a range of case studies from higher educational institutions in different countries and disciplines to demonstrate the many shapes and sizes of flipped classrooms. Many of the challenges, such as engaging students in their own learning and shifting them from spectators in the learning process to active participants, prove to be universal.