Describes four alternative kinds of knowledge that differ from the mainstream concept of scientific knowledge. Argues that science, engineering, and bureaucratic institutions, under a common model of reality, often ignore and suppress these insightful kinds of knowledge. (Author)

Offers a unit of laboratory instruction for a general technology class that looks at ergonomics--the engineering science that seeks to prevent disorders caused by uncomfortable or stressful working conditions. The activity involves the measurement of body motions. (JOW)

Survey of 25 British civil engineering firms revealed informal and unstructured learning systems, limiting designers' opportunity to gain feedback about their designs. A more systematic learning culture was recommended for project-based industries such as construction. (SK)

Argues that being creative is the means through which to produce and express new, novel, and occasionally useful ideas that should be applied to technology and engineering students. Examines theories about creative thinking, the process, and some aspects of teaching and learning creativity. (Author/CCM)

Discusses the history of engineering education and engineering as a profession in Finland. Assesses the role of formally trained engineers in past and present Finnish industry. (Author/CCM)

Discusses diversity in science education in Europe. Provides a global overview of education in Europe and then presents two European models for global education for engineers and scientists that are becoming increasingly important components of their curricula. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the development of high-level thinking skills and how learning occurs with example studies from literature. Describes the relationship between animal and human cognition, and identifies levels of human understanding which include somatic, mythic, romantic, philosophic, and ironic understanding. (Contains 22 references.) (YDS)

Reviews various initiatives in the United States and Europe designed to increase the number of engineering students participating in international study and offers 13 recommendations to remove barriers encountered by engineering students who wish to study abroad. Recommendations address funding, curriculum, and logistical issues such as credit…

Describes a PC-based teaching module designed to instruct engineering students in transient one-dimensional conduction heat transfer analysis. The discussion considers problem formulation, nondimensionalization, discretization, numerical stability and the time-step restriction, program operation, and program verification. (MES)

Proposes a way to improve the quality of statistics teaching to undergraduate engineering students. Teaching quality can be understood as a goal to be achieved in three nurtured phases: (1) course planning; (2) adoption of methodological approach; and (3) evaluation of results. (Author/SAH)

Explains why the influx of computers into classrooms means that schools need to pay more attention to ergonomic furnishings. The health risks of poorly designed furniture are discussed as are the kings of furniture that work best ergonomically for computer use. (GR)

Explores some of the issues behind mathematical modeling for technology with reference to undergraduate teaching and professional practice. Discusses theory and practice in mathematical modeling and its place and uses of modeling in engineering. (ASK)

Discusses the special considerations, objectives, and mechanisms for mentoring in engineering and other technical environments. Describes how students benefit from mentoring in an engineering curriculum and gives specific examples of student-mentoring programs. (EV)

Three groups of 50 freshman and 50 seniors each, majoring in technology, engineering, and humanities, completed the Personal Problem-Solving Inventory and the Technological Problem-Solving Inventory. There were few differences in personal problem solving but significant differences by major in technological problem solving. Few differences between…

Presents results from a research evaluation of the effects of a team approach and learning style preferences in a new hands-on laboratory course in beginning engineering. Results showed that underrepresented minority and women students may be especially motivated to continue at the postsecondary level in engineering and technology. (MKR)