 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
The University of Tennessee College of Engineering 114 Perkins Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Newsletter
of the UT College of Engineering |
|
The Engage Program: Achievements,
Challenges and Opportunities
In the fall of 1999, The University of Tennessee College of Engineering admitted the first full group of freshman engineering students into the Engage program. Engage was implemented in response to recommendations for improving the freshman engineering curriculum from students, faculty and the COE's Board of Advisors.
The program offers a unique approach to engineering education, incorporating mind-engaging, project-oriented activities. Freshman engineering topics--such as graphics computer programming, statics and dynamics--are integrated into two six-hour courses. The integration of material is focused around several "design, build and test" projects that provide realistic problems. Students are then able to experience the same decision-making processes as practicing engineers.
Engage also emphasizes communication and team-building skills. Students work in teams; each one is assigned as a mentor an upperclassman enrolled in a team facilitation course. In addition, professors work in teams with graduate student assistants to provide instruction for the program. The program is also "success-oriented," and students are encouraged to support one another and to learn as a group.
A review of the Engage program over the past five years offers evidence of many successes, several remaining challenges and new, exciting opportunities for future growth.
An Assessment of Success
Dr. John Prados, vice-president emeritus of The University of Tennessee and a chemical engineering professor, is a strong advocate for new approaches of engineering education and was a member of the original team that created Engage.
"In general, I think it is very successful," Prados comments. "The students are much better able to function as team members and have a more mature understanding of what engineering is all about."
Dr. Roger Parsons, a mechanical engineering professor, was selected as the Engage program's director in 1997.
"I think we've demonstrated that we have achieved most of our goals," Parsons comments, citing the encouraging statistics that freshman retention has improved by 15 percent, and that preliminary graduation results show engineering student graduation rates are up by 10 to 15 percent for Engage students. Due to a demanding curriculum, retention and graduation rates for engineering students have traditionally been lower than those of other academic disciplines.
"We have made significant improvements in the core program during the last few years," Parsons adds. "Dr. Raj Ramen, Dr. Richard Bennett and Will Schleter have made changes in the technology of the presentations and have also greatly enhanced the course management web site. Lectures are now archived, so students are able to access previous class information, and we believe that this technology is an important learning tool."
"We've been very excited about the progress of the Engage program," says Dr. Fred Tompkins, interim dean of the College of Engineering. "Most of our qualitative measures--student reaction forms, surveys and other feedback--show that program ratings are very high."
Estabrook Hall, a historic building on the engineering campus, was selected as the site for the "freshman village." The village concept incorporates all classes, study areas, faculty offices and laboratories in one designated building to provide continuity and support for students.
Engage also worked with the UT Department of Residence Halls to establish common dorm floors for engineering students. Men and women live on separate floors but participate in such joint activities as pizza parties and other activities arranged by their engineering student resident advisors. The common living arrangements help students establish personal relationships with one another and make it easier for them to form support and study groups. This fall, 95 out of 400 freshman males and 25 out of 100 freshmen females participated in the engineering dorm arrangements. The percentage of participation has been growing each year.
New areas of the curriculum are being developed, including an "Ethics in Engineering" class taught by Engage professor Dr. Christopher Pionke and philosophy professor Dr. Glenn Graber. An honors version of the spring Engage course is also in the works.
"The dedication of the individuals involved is what has made the Engage program such a success," Prados adds. "All of these people are very committed to the students and to what they are doing."