Reports on a survey of the undergraduate programs of 50 engineering schools which was designed to investigate the engineering curriculum with regard to core courses in statics and dynamics. Indicates that only about one-third of the schools require these courses. Argues for their return to the programs. (TW)

Describes four principles to help engineering faculty facilitate high rates of learning: (1) Objective Based Instruction; (2) Absolute Criterion-Referenced Grading Standard; (3) Varied Learning Strategies; and (4) Flexible Time Frames. Illustrates several teaching/learning systems that facilitate the effective applications of these principles. (SK)

An evaluation of student performances in a materials engineering course using three different teaching methods is presented. A form of personalized self-instruction (PSI) in which the course is offered off-campus, decentralized sequenced instruction (DSI), was compared to on-campus PSI and to the lecture method. The DSI method is shown to be most…

Describes how to use patents as teaching tools in engineering courses. These documents can illustrate a field's historical and technological development as well as its current frontiers. (WB)

Describes an approach to teaching engineering design that involves analyzing, designing, building, and testing a simple structure. Explains the procedures for the various activities and discusses how the design concept can be incorporated into other courses. (ML)

Addresses concerns related to the significance of values in teaching engineering design. Provides perspectives on the nature of values, values and engineering, and the teacher's role in values education. Includes listings and categories of values. (ML)

Describes reasons and methods of taking advantage of the increase in engineering student enrollment and student interest. Weighs pros and cons of strategies to limit enrollment and suggests methods of improving teaching efficiency. (Author/DS)

Materials to teach basic concepts of science through engineering problems are slowly being developed. While specific national projects are the starting point, the new approach will be adopted only when textbooks have been modified. (Author/RE)

Describes a program at the University of Iowa which introduces undergraduate engineering students to the rewards and responsibilities of teaching engineering through cooperative education positions as faculty assistants in introductory engineering courses. (TW)

Described is a program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in which engineering and science students with no education background teach elementary science classes to grades K-5. (SL)

Describes the use of undergraduate teaching assistants in electronic circuits and engineering management courses. Teaching assistants guide discussions and assist in laboratory exercises. Requirements for using teaching assistants effectively, benefits to teaching assistants, and possible problems are also discussed. (DS)

Describes a technique for using lecture-laboratory facilities and faculty office facilities to provide students a site for intensive laboratory exercises. Provides a layout of the lecture-laboratory facilities and energy systems of the facilities. Presents an instructional example on the concept of the natural frequency of single-degree-of-freedom…

Reports the teaching effectiveness workshop experiences for engineering professors. Lists several workshop titles and describes participants' responses. Provides suggestions for successful workshops. (YP)

Reviews approaches taken in meeting the design requirements in engineering programs. Highlights the value and applications of student involvement in design projects. Explains the features of an engineering case and advocates their use as an alternative or supplement to design projects. (ML)

Describes a program in which senior engineering students are given the opportunity to design, make, and test apparatus intended for an upper-level teaching laboratory. Discusses such projects as a vapor compressor test stand with refrigerant mass flow measurement, a double-walled concentric annular heat pipe, and a vacuum filling station. (TW)