Design and Implementation of an Aspirational Ethics Laboratory Course

Abstract

I am a teacher educator with a special interest in teacher induction and retention.

Design of a Cross-curricular Circuits Laboratory Experiment

“…This questionnaire covered questions ranging from how much control they had on the overall lab itself, to how confident they felt in their competency in the material itself. Many of the questions were consistent with prior survey questions tied to understanding the larger curriculum modification as outlined in prior papers [1][2][3].…”

“…The overall goal of the project is to improve how engineering students learn particular concepts which are pertinent throughout the four-year mechanical engineering curriculum [1]- [3]. It is possible to assess the success of these new laboratory modules through using evidence collected via surveys conducted after the lab the module was completed by students.…”

“…It is this concept of creating a better understanding of a complex subject, by using two disciplines in the same module, that generated the idea for the new circuits module. Following the success of other new scaffolding laboratory modules [1]- [3], it was decided to create a laboratory module that helped mechanical engineers in circuits.…”

Development of a Low-Cost Constructed Wetlands Experiment

“…Without a strong understanding of concepts, engineers may create flawed designs that do not function as intended. Efforts to include more hands-on, conceptual activities have been made in mechanical engineering 3,4,5 , civil engineering 6,7,8,9 , and environmental engineering 10,11 . Brown et al (2014) developed an open channel desktop module, and found that student conceptual understanding increased when using the module.…”

“…When there is only one piece of lab equipment, students often become disengaged. Studies in mechanical engineering have demonstrated that laboratory experiments conducted with smaller, less expensive equipment in small groups greatly increased student engagement 3,4,5 . Smaller, less expensive desktop modules may help improve student engagement and provide students with more hands-on experience.…”