Kevin D. Dahm
*,
Stephanie Farrell
,
Ravi P. Ramachandran
- Rowan University College of Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, United States
Abstract
Good communication skills are vital for practicing engineers, and there is much literature on strategies for developing communication skills in engineering students. For some years there has been a growing trend in engineering education towards treating communication as an inter-disciplinary skill, and seeking meaningful and pedagogically sound ways to integrate communication skills throughout the engineering curriculum. This paper presents a summary of literature related to writing in the engineering curriculum. It is intended to provide practical resources for engineering faculty, presenting both general guiding principles for writing in the curriculum and specific models that have been used successfully in engineering courses and are readily adaptable in a variety of engineering courses and curricula. The two primary considerations examined are (1) strategies for introducing disciplinary writing into engineering courses and (2) strategies for engaging students in reflective writing.
References
- ABET, Inc., "Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs , 2015 - 2016 " available at http://www.abet.org/accreditation/accreditationcriteria/ criteria-for-accrediting-engineering-programs-2015-2016/, accessed 8/21/2015.
- Bergmann, L. S., & Zepernick;, J. Disciplinarity and transfer: Students' perceptions of learning to write. WPA: Writing Program Administration, 31, 1-2, (2007).
- Bloom, B. S., ed. Taxonomy of educational objectives: Handbook I: Cognitive domain. New York, DavidMcKay, 1967.
- J. Bransford, A. Brown and R. Cocking, How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1999.
- G.Boyd and M.Hassett, "Developing Critical Writing Skills in Engineering and Technology Students," Journal of Engineering Education, 89, 4 (2000).
- V. Burrows, B. McNeill, N. Hubele and L. Bellamy, "Statistical Evidence for Enhanced Learning of Content through Reflective Journal Writing," Journal of Engineering Education, 90, 4 (2001).
- M. Eliot and J. Turns, "Constructing Professional Portfolios: Sense-Making and Professional Identity Development for Engineering Undergraduates," Journal of Engineering Education, 100, 4 (2011).
- R. Felder and R. Brent, "Writing Assignments Pathways to Connections, Clarity, Creativity," College Teaching, 40, 1, (1992).
- J. Ford and L. Riley, "Integrating Communication and Engineering Education: A Look at Curricula, Courses, and Support Systems," Journal of Engineering Education, 92, 4 (2003).
- N. Gnanapragasam, "Evolution of Technical Writing in Senior Design-A Case History," Advances in Engineering Education, 2, 1 (2010).
- J. Hanson and J. Williams, "Using Writing Assignments to Improve Self-Assessment and Communication Skills in an Engineering Statics Course," Journal of Engineering Education, 97, 4 (2008).
- S. Hawkins, M. Coney and K. Bystrom, "Incidental Writing in the Engineering Classroom," Journal of EngineeringEducation 85, 1 (1996).
- B. Korgel, "Nurturing Faculty-Student Dialogue, Deep Learning and Creativity through Journal Writing Exercises," Journal of Engineering Education 91, 1 (2002).
- C. Lengsfeld, G. Edelstein, J. Black,N. Hightower, M. Root, K. Stevens and M. Whitt, "Engineering Concepts and Communication: A Two-Quarter Course Sequence" Journal of Engineering Education 93, 1 (2004).
- J. Leydens and J. Schneider, "Innovations in Composition Programs that Educate Engineers: Drivers, Opportunities and Challenges," Journal of Engineering Education, 98, 3 (2009).
- S. Maharaj and L. Banta, "Using Log Assignments to Foster Learning: Revisiting Writing across the Curriculum, "Journal of Engineering Education, 89, 1 (2000).
- M. Paretti, "Teaching Communication in Capstone Design: The Role of the Instructor in Situated Learning, "Journal of Engineering Education, 97, 4 (2008).
- G. Randolph, "Collaborative Learning in the Classroom: A Writing Across the Curriculum Approach, "Journal of Engineering Education, 89, 2 (2000).
- W. Riddell, J. Courtney, E. Constans, K. Dahm, R. Harvey and P. von Lockette, "Making communication matter: Integrating instruction, projects and assignments to teach writing and design, "Advances in Engineering Education, 2, 2 (2010).
- J. Sharp, J. Harb and R. Terry, "Combining Kolb Learning Styles and Writing to Learn in Engineering Classes," Journal of Engineering Education, 86, 2 (1997).
- J. Sharp, B. Olds, R. Miller and M. Dyrud, "Four Effective Writing Strategies for Engineering Classes, "Journal of Engineering Education, 88, 1 (1999).
- D. Windsor, "Engineering Writing/Writing Engineering," College Composition and Communication, 41, 1 (1990).
- B. Yalvac, H. Smith, J. Troy and P. Hirsch, "Promoting Advanced Writing Skills in an Upper-Level Engineering Class," Journal of Engineering Education, 96, 2 (2007).
