Creating a Learning Community in a Freshman Design Course through Curriculum Coordination

工程学-机械(56)NSF-DUE倡议最近强调了发展学习社区的重要性，在那里学生与课外的学生互动，这些倡议鼓励高中、社区学院和大学之间的互动。这个提议的项目是为了在一年级的工程设计课程中建立一个学习社区。设计课程是从现有的强调动手学习的设计课程中采用的。通过与高中技术课程和一年级工程制图课程的协调，增加了增强的团队合作/沟通组件。所有三门课程的课程都在协调，创造了一个学习社区。每门课程的学生都在不同的水平上参与设计过程。设计的主要责任仍然是设计课，然而，设计团队包括来自其他课程的学生和设施。协调课程的主要目标是：1.发展必要的沟通技能，以便在不同教育背景的同事之间进行有意义的技术互动。培养学生意识到一门课程所教授的材料与其他课程相关并应用于其他课程。在学生职业生涯的早期，在设计过程中培养沟通和研究能力。通过让高中生参与设计过程，鼓励他们从事科学或工程方面的职业。通过实施独特的短期评估过程，可以快速改变课程，以响应学生的需求。该项目引起了当地社区大学的极大兴趣。传播包括在大学和学院的区域会议上的陈述，以及地方研讨会。

Engineering - Mechanical (56)The importance of developing learning communities, where students interact with those outside their class, has recently been emphasized by NSF-DUE initiatives, which encourage interaction between high schools, community colleges and universities. The proposed project is designed to develop a learning community in a freshman engineering design course. The design course is being adopted from an established design curriculum, which emphasizes hands-on learning. Enhanced teamwork/communication components is being added by coordinating with a high school technology program, and a freshman engineering graphics course. Curriculums from all three courses are being coordinated, creating a learning community. Students from each course are participating in the design process at different levels. The primary design responsibility remains with the design class, however, design teams include students and facilities from the other courses.The primary objectives of the coordinated curriculum are to: 1. Develop communication skills necessary for meaningful technical interaction between colleagues with diverse educational backgrounds.2. Develop students' awareness that material taught in one course is related and applied in other courses.3. Develop communication and research skills within the design process early in students' careers.4. Encourage high school students to pursue careers in science or engineering by engaging them in the design process.An implementation of a unique short-term assessment process enables quick curricular changes in response to student needs. The project had generated much interest with local community colleges. Dissemination involves presentations at the regional meeting of universities and colleges, and local workshops.