A professor entered a four-year engineering program together with student volunteers to obtain information on their problem-solving skills. This information as well as information on student characteristics and characteristics of freshmen and sophomore years are discussed in terms of curriculum modification, available resources, and needed changes…

This study assesses the Personalized System of Instruction's (Keller Plan) conventional academic environment capability. The author focuses on some of the issues accompanying the introduction of PSI. (SA)

Outlines the academic premises made in traditional engineering education in comparison with the educational objectives of practice-directed curricula. Suggests that the practice-audit-study learning mode should be adopted in place of the lecture-homework-exam-grade system. (CC)

Presents an engineering education grading scale, A to F, in terms of generally defined competencies. (SL)

A writing assistance program at North Carolina State University is designed to help students gain the communication skills they need as professional engineers. The program involves teaching, tutoring, advisory services, and workshops on special topics of wide interest. Each of these program areas is discussed. (JN)

Argues that educational focus is stronger and clearer with educational competencies rather than with educational objectives. (SL)

Describes an attempt on the part of an engineering faculty to develop problem-solving skills in its undergraduate students. It includes a course description in problem solving. (SA)

Engineering Practices Introductory Course Sequence (EPICS) is designed to introduce freshmen and sophomores to skills of self education and open-ended problem solving so that high levels of competence can be obtained. Rationale for the program, description of theme projects (including management and instruction), and pilot program evaluation are…

Structured Controversy, an instructional technique based on cooperative group learning, stimulates student involvement in issues concerning technology and society. The technique involves selecting a discussion topic; preparing instructional materials; preparing students for the discussion; the structured controversy itself; and wrap-up and…