Engineering Education: Key Features of the Digital Transformation

Abstract

The paper deals with the digital transformation of engineering education. Such transformation is justified in terms of an engineering education paradigm change. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the didactic system of engineering education, the authors specify the requirements for such important engineering education components as goal setting, content, educational technologies, assessment tools and methods in current educational environment. They provides examples of a practical digital transformation of a number of engineering curricula and syllabi by integrating blended learning based on a Small Private Online Course (SPOC). The authors share their best practices in designing e-learning taking into account the features of the learning-forgetting process, they demonstrate how to make use of the saved time for students’ practical work, how to implement gamification techniques based on such new forms as the Hackathon, Internet of things (IoT) for engineering education. They also provide examples of creating a digital educational environment with specialized software modules to visualize complex mathematical concepts as well as examples of applying principles of artificial intelligence and machine learning to shape a student’s adapted educational trajectory. They discuss how to identify student’s problems with learning material assimilation and suggest a specially developed course including propaedeutic unit for additional study.

Reflection and Goal Setting: Methods for Improved Performance and Engagement in Engineering Courses

“…Several papers have noted the effect of goal setting on students and engineers [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. However, only two papers specifically address this effect on students in engineering education [21,22].…”

“…Several papers have noted the effect of goal setting on students and engineers [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. However, only two papers specifically address this effect on students in engineering education [21,22]. Wan and colleagues showed evidence that, with students utilizing e-learning systems, simply exposing them to goal setting strategies helped the students perform better [18].…”

“…Specifically in engineering education, a group of researchers focused on the tools needed for teaching engineering digitally to students in higher education. They found goal setting to be one of the five major components that helped keep students on track and making progress [21]. Additionally, Bowman and colleagues discussed strategies to help engineering students recover after they had struggled in their engineering classes to the point that they were on academic probation.…”