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Brave New World: Can We Engineer a Better Start for Freshers?

Brave New World: Can We Engineer a Better Start for Freshers?
Brave New World: Can We Engineer a Better Start for Freshers?
Abstract - The crucial importance of first experiences in shaping future success has been widely acknowledged. Creating the best foundations in large cohorts of students from diverse backgrounds presents special problems of its own. But a secure foundation can enhance student achievement and improve retention – and the students may even have fun too. Research has suggested that building learning communities can enhance student engagement and achievement. This paper examines how introducing non-technical activities can establish sound foundations for a university career by a) addressing objectives in the wider curriculum and b) promoting non-technical skills and experience of group working. A set of changes introduced to five degree cohorts in our academic school were designed to complement enhancements to our technical curriculum introduced during many years of debate and consideration. The changes have impacted upon generic and technical educational experiences. The paper presents an evaluation of the programme of changes through two iterations from the perspective of both faculty and student.
Engineering Education, Group Working, Social Constructivism, Team Skills, Teaching
0-7803-9077-6
26-31
White, S A
5f9a277b-df62-4079-ae97-b9c35264c146
Carr, L A
0572b10e-039d-46c6-bf05-57cce71d3936
White, S A
5f9a277b-df62-4079-ae97-b9c35264c146
Carr, L A
0572b10e-039d-46c6-bf05-57cce71d3936

White, S A and Carr, L A (2005) Brave New World: Can We Engineer a Better Start for Freshers? 35th Annual ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Pedagogies and Technologies for the Emerging Global Economy, Indianapolis, IN. 19 - 21 Oct 2005. pp. 26-31 .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

Abstract - The crucial importance of first experiences in shaping future success has been widely acknowledged. Creating the best foundations in large cohorts of students from diverse backgrounds presents special problems of its own. But a secure foundation can enhance student achievement and improve retention – and the students may even have fun too. Research has suggested that building learning communities can enhance student engagement and achievement. This paper examines how introducing non-technical activities can establish sound foundations for a university career by a) addressing objectives in the wider curriculum and b) promoting non-technical skills and experience of group working. A set of changes introduced to five degree cohorts in our academic school were designed to complement enhancements to our technical curriculum introduced during many years of debate and consideration. The changes have impacted upon generic and technical educational experiences. The paper presents an evaluation of the programme of changes through two iterations from the perspective of both faculty and student.

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More information

Published date: 2005
Additional Information: Event Dates: October 19th-21st October 2005
Venue - Dates: 35th Annual ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Pedagogies and Technologies for the Emerging Global Economy, Indianapolis, IN, 2005-10-19 - 2005-10-21
Keywords: Engineering Education, Group Working, Social Constructivism, Team Skills, Teaching
Organisations: Web & Internet Science

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 261631
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/261631
ISBN: 0-7803-9077-6
PURE UUID: 535dcf22-1f69-4f78-a196-04490513fcd1
ORCID for S A White: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-9588-5275
ORCID for L A Carr: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-2113-9680

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 08 Dec 2005
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:03

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Contributors

Author: S A White ORCID iD
Author: L A Carr ORCID iD

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