Reformulating General Engineering and Biological Systems Engineering Programs at Virginia Tech

这个项目的重点是建立一个有凝聚力的通用工程和生物过程工程课程，建立在健全的学习理论和教学原则之上。在杰罗姆·布鲁纳的开创性工作的基础上，一种以主题为基础的螺旋课程方法正在被用于改革。这个系级改革项目展示了弗吉尼亚理工大学工程和教育教师之间前所未有的合作水平。该项目正在改革弗吉尼亚理工大学生物系统工程系的通用工程和生物过程工程项目。具体目标是：1)使用基于主题的螺旋课程设计和改进的教学方法，重新制定现有的通用工程和生物过程工程课程；2)培训教师使用以学习为中心的教学技术；3)制定持续评估计划，以衡量重新制定的课程、教师改进活动和学生学习的影响。4)将课程改革和教学改革的成果传播给弗吉尼亚理工大学内外的同行。螺旋课程的中心思想是，学生将在一个或多个组织主题的背景下学习不同的工程主题。在生物过程课程中，最相关和最有用的主题是可持续性。通过研究这个主题中越来越复杂的问题，学生们能够学习设计、系统方法、伦理和其他工程基础，同时强调可持续性。螺旋概念的本质是，学生将不断地研究同一个主题——可持续性——但在逐渐提高的技能水平、知识表达和承诺上。

This project is focusing on creating a cohesive General Engineering and Bioprocess Engineering program built on sound learning theory and pedagogical principles. A theme-based spiral curriculum approach, based on pioneering work of Jerome Bruner, is being adopted for the reforms. This Department-Level Reform project is demonstrating an unprecedented level of collaboration between engineering and education faculty members at Virginia Tech.This project is reforming the General Engineering and the Bioprocess Engineering program within the Biological Systems Engineering Department at Virginia Tech. The specific objectives are: 1) Reformulating the existing General Engineering and Bioprocess Engineering curricula using theme-based spiral curriculum design and improved pedagogical methods, 2) Training faculty in the use of learning centered pedagogical techniques, 3) Developing a continual assessment plan to measure the impact of the reformulated curricula, faculty improvement activities, and student learning, and 4) Disseminating the results of the curricular reformulation and pedagogical changes to peers within and outside Virginia Tech.The central idea of the spiral curriculum is that students will pursue their study of diverse engineering topics within the context of one or more organizing themes. Within the Bioprocess curriculum, the theme most relevant and useful is sustainability. By investigating progressively more complex problems situated within this theme, students are able to learn design, systems approach, ethics, and other engineering fundamentals, while emphasizing sustainability. The nature of the spiral concept is that students will constantly be working on the same topic-sustainability-but at progressively higher skill levels, knowledge representation, and commitment.