Santa Clara University

HP Technology for Teaching Grant, 2007

Project Title	Technology Integration for Diverse Excellence (TIDE)
Principal Investigator	Ruth E. Davis  RDavis@scu.edu

Project Abstract

HP mobile technology is being used to engage and extend learning gains among two specific groups: diverse 1st year engineering undergraduates enrolled in the Introduction to Engineering course, and high school students involved in summer outreach programs. Participants will work in small teams on inquiry-based learning activities to explore issues related to sustainability. The goal of the project is to positively affect participants’ engagement and increase their understanding of the engineering disciplines to enable them to make an informed and timely decision regarding their choice of college major.

Impact on Student Learning

All students enrolled in Engineering 1 participate in a two-part survey. The surveys are administered at the beginning and at the end of the course. The surveys provide a better understanding of the incoming class and a measure of the impact of Engineering 1.

Survey data is complemented with institutional data and maintained in a student retention database. Student academic information and commitment to engineering is tracked during the course of their academic career.

In the past, exit survey results indicated that students did not have confidence in their level of understanding of the engineering disciplines. After the introduction of hands-on activities to the course, students indicated that they enjoyed the course more and expressed greater confidence in their understanding of the engineering disciplines.

In fall 2007, the theme of sustainability was introduced. Exit survey results indicated further increases in students’ confidence in their understanding of the engineering disciplines. At the conclusion of the course, a record number of non-engineering students switched their major to engineering.

In fall 2008, Engr1 students will use HP mobile technology to access instrumentation within the SCU Solar House and will explore the interdisciplinary and complex nature of sustainability issues. The goal is for students to develop a solid understanding of the engineering disciplines to enable them to make wise and timely decisions concerning their choice of college major.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact on Teaching

In past years, the Introduction to Engineering course was presented primarily in lecture format. Presentations were compartmentalized, limiting the integration of technical concepts from one lecture to the next. The addition of inquiry-based activities in recent years has increased student understanding of engineering disciplines.

In 2007, TIDE involved each department in a redesign of the course to develop learning activities focused on sustainability.

In 2008, the course will be further enhanced to present strengths of each discipline for developing strategies to solve complex problems in sustainability.

Technology Integration

In fall 2007, while the issues of sustainability were being discussed in Engr1, a team of SCU Engineering juniors and seniors were in Washington, DC competing in the Solar Decathlon 2007; in their first year competing, the team placed 3rd out of 20 international finalists (http://www.scu.edu/engineering/solardecathlon.cfm).

The solar house has returned from Washington DC, and will be set up on the SCU campus to showcase a variety of innovative technologies.  The SCU house represents a solar “powerhouse” of instrumentation and technology and is an ideal example of all four disciplines contributing to an integrated sustainable solution.  HP wireless technology will provide a unique opportunity for the students to wirelessly connect with the systems and instruments in the solar house from within the classroom.

 

Quick Facts

Courses Impacted	Introduction to Engineering
Outreach Programs Impacted	Summer Engineering Seminar (SES)
	Spring Engineering Education Days (SEEDs)
Total Number of Students Involved	250
Total Number of Faculty Involved	10