Framework for Integrating Entrepreneurially Minded Learning in Upper Level Courses

Abstract

Many institutions now offer extracurricular activities to help hone engineering students' entrepreneurial skills and encourage ideation. However, there remain few co-curricular opportunities for students to develop an entrepreneurial skillset and practice entrepreneurial thinking. In particular, opportunities are rare for students to merge entrepreneurially minded learning (EML) with the high-level subject-, project-and collaboration-based learning approaches typically seen in senior-level elective courses. Developing the entrepreneurial mindset will serve our students well by preparing them to be more impactful engineers.We have developed, implemented and assessed a framework for integrating EML into senior-level elective courses via an Ideation Project. In the affected course -Introduction to Biomechanics -the curricular project focused on developing skills related to opportunity identification and impact evaluation. Expected EML outcomes from implementing this framework were behaviors related to expressing curiosity and creating value. We evaluated how well the students met the desired learning objectives and assessed the effectiveness of the framework in developing an entrepreneurial mindset, as evidenced by successful completion of the project deliverables and demonstration of the skill areas and behaviors mentioned previously.Assessment was conducted via summative course assessments and project pre and post surveys, which required students' self-assessment of their entrepreneurial skills and ability to practice entrepreneurial behaviors. Increases in EML skill level and behavior before versus after completing the ideation project were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in some cases; moreover, all but one area ("persisting and learning through failure") had a higher post-project score compared to the corresponding pre-project score. The results indicate that the framework was successful in integrating EML in a senior-level elective and developing an entrepreneurial minded skillset.

A Systematic Review of Student Entrepreneurial Failure in Engineering Education

“…In reflections on creating value, a common theme that students mentioned concerned learning from failure or persistence through failure. The e-learning modules developed by 2017) as well as the instrument development and subsequent research by Li and colleagues (Li, et al, 2016;Li, et al, 2018;Li, et al, 2019) also use the 3Cs framework as their guiding structure. As indicated in the table in Appendix B, quite a few of the papers identified relied on the KEEN 3Cs structure as the framework guiding their work.…”

Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset Using the KEEN Framework for a Digital Communication System Course

“…Initial research on potential survey questions were based on the author's expectations of behaviors from the EML activities as well as reviewing the work by Professor David Jamison IV [26]. The format of questions were tailored from the KEEN framework and customized based on student experience with the entrepreneurial mindset.…”

Entrepreneurial Mindset (EML) Modules for Chemical Engineering Courses

“…Despite the effort of many engineering schools, as summarized recently by the National Academy of Engineers [1], to update their curricula to include EM concepts in their students, many of the projects are focused on mechanical [9], electrical and civil engineering disciplines [10,11]. A search of the Journal of Engineering Entrepreneurship shows very little on chemical engineering, as does a look at the ASEE Chemical Engineering division and American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChe) conference programs.…”

“…This strong culture of safety, while necessary, has often prevented chemical engineers from being truly innovative in their designs. Throughout the KEEN Network, and even at Villanova University there is strong incorporation of EML into the curriculum for departments other than Chemical Engineering [9,11].…”