Engineering Education Research Briefs

Dr. Mark Guzdial of the University of Michigan and Dr. Adrienne Decker of the University at Buffalo share their definitions of computing education and computer science education and how these disciplines fit or in some cases do not yet fit in engineering education. Listen to this engaging discussion about the history of computing, a preview of the state of computing education, and some aspirations of the future of these disciplines in engineering education. 

Name Drop

Barbara Ericson

Katie Cunningham

Bahare Naimipour

Aman Yadav

Sean Mackay

Holliday Sims

Dr. Villanueva Alarcón shares with us how she arrived at hidden curriculum as a theoretical framework, how she’s adapted it for engineering education and the ways she continues to extend this very insightful framework that has roots in sociology, psychology, and disability studies. 

Name Drop

Drs. James Holly Jr, Monica Cox, Alex Mejia, Renata Revelo, Joyce Main

Drs. Karina Vielma, Jeremy Waisome, Sindia Rivera, Janice Mejia, Saira Anwar

Given the changing landscape of the academy across the U.S. driven in large part by the attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, unrest on campuses, and the legislation targeting high education we were moved to invite an activist in engineering education - Dean Riley to talk about how to activate the activist within us. We had a candid conversation about living an activist life but also some inspiring words to disrupt the paralysis so many are feeling given the current climate in the academy. Join us as we hear Dean Riley’s life of activism and her call to us all to tap into our inner activist.

Name Drop

Nuclear Nuevo México

Colonialism and the Effects of the Nuclear Industrial Complex on Nuevomexicanos

Myrriah Gómez (Author)

Kelly Cross

Cindy Rottmann (University of Toronto)

Brooke Coley - Center for RARE Justice

Darshan Karwat - Activist Engineering

Idalis Villanueva

Andrea Haverkamp

Joey Valle

Corey Bowman

Karl Smith

Stephanie Adams

Gregory Cajete - Native Science, Look to the Mountain

Reference Links

The Routledge International Handbook of Engineering Ethics Education

Inclusive Mindset Report

Latin* Students in Engineering

What a season it has been! After completing our first season as hosts of Research Briefs 2.0, we spent some time reflecting on the themes of the season and what and who inspired us this year. Thank you for listening! We look forward to sharing more scholars and scholarship with you in the Fall. In the meantime, go back and listen to the amazing scholars we hosted this year. Be safe and rest up!

This two part episode is a continuation of our conversation with Dr. Cindy Atman. In part one, she shared an intriguing history of engineering education and the role of centers in establishing the field (Pt. 1). But in part two she shares the wisdom she has gained related to leadership in engineering education. If you are: 1) considering establishing an engineering education department;  2) engaging in the arduous process of looking for engineering education departmental leadership; or 3) considering a leadership role in engineering education yourself this episode is a must. It was an absolute joy to engage with Dr. Atman. I hope you enjoy her wisdom, quotes, and insights as much as we did. 

“Centers are an important way to address specific challenges that can be contextualized, …ways to connect with other parts of campus or institutions, …or a national resource that everybody can draw on.”

This two part episode is a must listen for anybody intrigued by the history of engineering education and the role of centers in establishing the field (Pt. 1). Likewise, a great listen for those looking to establish engineering education departments and/or are looking for engineering education departmental leadership (Pt. 2).

“Centers are an important way to address specific challenges that can be contextualized, …ways to connect with other parts of campus or institutions, …or a national resource that everybody can draw on.”

Resources:

Websites:

• Center for the Advancement of Engineering Education (CAEE)
• Consortium for the Promotion of Reflection in Engineering Education (CPREE)
• Design Signatures website

Papers/reports:

Atman, C. J. (2019). Design timelines: Concrete and sticky representations of design process expertise. Design Studies, 65, 125-151.

Atman, C. J., Sheppard, S. D., Adams, R. S., Fleming, L. N., Stevens, R., Streveler, R. A., Smith, K. A., Miller, R. L., Leifer, L. J., Yasuhara, K., Lund, D. (2010). Enabling Engineering Student Success: The Final Report for the Center for the Advancement of Engineering Education. San Rafael, CA: Morgan & Claypool Publishers.

Atman, C. J., Adams, R. S., Cardella, M. E., Turns, J., Mosborg, S., & Saleem, J. (2007). Engineering design processes: A comparison of students and expert practitioners. Journal of engineering education, 96(4), 359-379.

Engineering Education Community Resource

Dr. Smith shares with us her full-circle journey to and through engineering education. Dr. Smith is a community-engaged scholar that leverages asset-based frameworks along with humility to learn with the families she engages with for her work. She reminds us the importance of an ethic of care when designing and executing research. 

“You have to position this work very carefully. So anyone that is doing community-engaged scholarship, you have to be very thoughtful in how you write about what you do on your CV or communicate it to your colleagues.”

Name drop: Ann Ishimaru, Natalie King

Join us in our conversation with Dr. Esther Matemba about engineering education from an international perspective. We discuss the variance in topics and priorities based on the context and how important it is for us to consider context when defining and describing research. We also explore Dr. Matemba’s experience with coalition building on the continent of Africa through the effort called the ENGINEERING EDUCATION RESEARCH NETWORK AFRICA (EERN-AFRICA). We were inspired by her words and hope you are too.

“Give everyone a chance...Be open to other people’s topics even if it is not your context.” 

In this episode we talk with Dr. Elizabeth Litzler about her pathway to and through engineering education. We talk about the impact of program evaluation, and the barriers and liberation associated with aligning values with research methods, more specifically participatory action research.

“It [Participatory Action Research, PAR] usually has a bit more of a democratic feel to it. So, your research methods are really collaborative and the community members or the participants are really like co-researchers.”