Motivating Engineering and Technical Students to Learn Technical Writing by Inculcating Lifelong Learning Skills

Azelin, Mohamed Noor; Idrus, Hairuzila; Baharom, Mohamed Noor Rosli

doi:10.18848/1447-9494/cgp/v18i11/47820

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…When lifelong learning takes place in institutions of higher education the assessments that students make of themselves and the changing world are crucial (Su, ). Lifelong learning is acquired in different types of courses that all affect the student's curriculum (Idrus et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Determinants of user demand for lifelong learning in institutions of higher education

Sabrià-Bernadó

Llinàs‐Audet

Isús

2017

Int J Training Development

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The main objective of this study is to identify the determinants that influence user demand for lifelong learning in institutions of higher education. Qualitative methodology was used to develop an instrument and a quantitative approach was used for the remainder of the study. After a literature review and in-depth interviews with experts in lifelong learning, we obtained the dimensions of the study and validated a questionnaire using expert opinion and a pilot test. The results and conclusions drawn from this study indicate the existence of three dimensions in user demand for lifelong learning in institutions of higher education: motivational, conflicts/difficulties and career-development. The constructs of current-work, career-change and personal improvement are linearly related to the motivational dimension; personal-constructs, external and time-related constructs are linked to the conflict/difficulties dimension; and working-environment and professional-experience constructs are related with the career development dimension. One of the novel contributions of this work is that it obtains empirical evidence on the determinants of demand for lifelong learning from the perspective of people who seek training.Postprint (author's final draft

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Determinants of user demand for lifelong learning in institutions of higher education

Sabrià-Bernadó

Llinàs‐Audet

Isús

2017

Int J Training Development

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“…Faculty must also demonstrate to students the importance of developing these skills as they relate to a successful career in engineering. 6 So called "soft skills" such as communication, teamwork, information seeking and presentation skills are repeatedly identified as important to employers looking to hire new engineers. 7,8 Presenting the writing guide and relevant evidence of the importance of communication skills early on in the students' career will help them develop strong habits to be reinforced throughout their time at school.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing Communication Practices Through Development of a Departmental Civil Engineering Writing Guide

Saftner

Christiansen

Hanson

et al.

2015 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition Proceedings

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“…Another approach is to integrate lifelong learning skills through technical writing by coordination of formal, non-formal and informal education, in which learning is part of life and it can take place even outside of formal learning environment such as classroom 7 . Lifelong learning is very important especially for electrical and software engineers because the "half-life" of their engineering skills is driven by very rapid changes in technology, much faster than in other engineering disciplines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lifelong learning is very important especially for electrical and software engineers because the "half-life" of their engineering skills is driven by very rapid changes in technology, much faster than in other engineering disciplines. While this change is estimated to happen every seven years for mechanical engineers, for electrical engineers it happens every five years, and for software engineers every two and half years, or even faster 7 . It was suggested that students can be motivated to perform better in technical writing classes if they recognize the significance of the given assignments to their future engineering career.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introducing Writing Assignments in Engineering Technology Courses to Enhance Technical Writing Skills and Critical Thinking

Popescu¹,

Jovanović²

2016 ASEE Annual Conference &Amp; Exposition Proceedings

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This study was prompted by the university wide initiative to improve students' technical writing skills across-the-curriculum by introducing low stakes writing assignments as early as in their freshman year. Effective written communication skills are important for engineering education, with critical thinking being one of the most important aspects of the learning process at the college level. However, the efforts in required core curriculum English and communication courses are not always further integrated into engineering curriculum. Introducing a technical paper writing assignment in lower division engineering courses had the purpose of helping students to be better prepared for major writing assignments in their upper division courses as well as for their capstone project. For this study a writing assignment was introduced in an Electrical Circuits course, for electrical engineering technology students at Old Dominion University in fall 2015. At the end of the semester a survey was distributed to the students to evaluate their opinion on the effectiveness of introducing a writing assignment early in their college education. The research also evaluates the students' opinion on how such assignment can help them better understand the concepts studied in class, improve their studying methodology and enhance their critical thinking.

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Motivating Engineering and Technical Students to Learn Technical Writing by Inculcating Lifelong Learning Skills

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Determinants of user demand for lifelong learning in institutions of higher education

Determinants of user demand for lifelong learning in institutions of higher education

Enhancing Communication Practices Through Development of a Departmental Civil Engineering Writing Guide

Introducing Writing Assignments in Engineering Technology Courses to Enhance Technical Writing Skills and Critical Thinking

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