Describes some features in the changing landscape of activities intended to improve both quality and access in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) undergraduate education. Offers a framework for discussion of historical change endeavors as an aid in considering next steps. (Author/MM)

This paper is based on the results of the initial phase of a long-term study undertaken to identify some of the factors that contribute to 'good teaching' in the realm of higher education in engineering in India. Feedback from both students and teachers in an engineering institution in India points to the fact that 'good teaching' consists of much…

Two techniques for determining a straight line fit to data are compared. This article reviews two simple techniques for fitting a straight line to a set of data, namely the method of averages and the method of least squares. These methods are compared by showing the results of a simple analysis, together with a number of tests based on randomized…

When a professional engineer solves a mathematical problem using technology, he/she generally uses a single one-step "high-level" command of a readily available computer package to obtain the solution immediately. This should not happen during his/her learning cursus. In an engineering mathematics course, the educator should decompose the solution…

In 2001 a large-scale project, the "Breakthrough project", to develop teaching and learning was started at Lund Institute of Technology (LTH), Lund University, Sweden. The project has had a duration of 3 years and the aims of the project were to change the paradigm from teaching to learning and implement a sense of scholarship of…

Technology education has long struggled to establish itself as an equal partner in general education and often struggled to gain recognition for the value of its instruction. Frequently technology educators tout the effectiveness of their programs based on anecdotal evidence gathered from their classroom experiences on how their instructional…

Purpose--The paper sets out to explore the challenges of problem-based learning (PBL) in tertiary education and to propose a framework with implications for practice and learning. Design/Methodology/Approach--A total of 18 tertiary students divided into three groups participated in the focus group discussions. A quantitative instrument was used as…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss how long term risk prevention and civil protection may enter in university programs for environmental engineers and urban and regional planners. Design/methodology/approach: First the distinction between long term risk prevention and emergency preparedness is made, showing that while the first has…

This paper presents an Internet-based open approach to laboratory instruction. In this article, the author talks about an open laboratory approach using a multi-user multi-device remote facility. This approach involves both the direct contact with the computer-controlled laboratory setup of interest with the students present in the laboratory…

Approaches the study of failure analysis by examining the mental and physical steps involved in the development of a product to determine where the failure occurred. (CP)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the field of scientific inquiry concerned with designing machine systems that can simulate human mental processes. The field draws upon theoretical constructs from a wide variety of disciplines, including mathematics, psychology, linguistics, neurophysiology, computer science, and electronic engineering. Some of the…

Operating systems theory primarily concentrates on the optimal use of computing resources. This paper presents an alternative approach to teaching and studying operating systems design and concepts by way of parametrically optimizing critical operating system functions. Detailed examples of two critical operating systems functions using the…

The Colorado State University Resources in Graduate Education (SURGE) program is described in this report. Since it is expected that not all the participants in a graduate engineering program will be able to attend university-based lectures, presentations are video-taped and transported to industrial plants, engineering offices, and other…

Described is a computer program for the sizing of subsonic and supersonic fighters which has been adapted for use in an aerospace engineering design course. Following a description of the program, an evaluation of its use in the university is presented. It is concluded that computer programs for the conceptual design of aerospace vehicles can play…