Society establishes seminars for engineering faculty

Jack Raplee
ASME NEWS

ASME has teamed up with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers to develop a series of seminars designed to improve the teaching skills of engineering faculty.

The first of the "Essential Teaching Seminars for Engineering Faculty" has been scheduled for Jan. 10-12, 2002, at Arizona State University in Tempe with the next two to follow in the spring.

According to Nema Roman of ASME Professional Development, the coordinator of the seminars, the courses are targeted to the early career engineering educator for whom the science and math knowledge in the engineering disciplines is sharp but the ability to communicate the information clearly and effectively is less pronounced.

"The courses are also for those whose native language is not English," she said. "Some of the most brilliant educators come from non-English speaking countries and they need to develop their communications skills in order to pass on their knowledge to the students."

Specifically, the seminars address theories and principles behind effective learning and teaching styles, familiarization with improved writing, speaking and listening skills, "learn by doing" classroom exercises and constructive evaluations of videotaped classroom performance.

Funded by the United Engineering Foundation, this faculty development program consists of demonstration classes and models of high-quality teaching provided by Jerry Samples of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Robert A. Potter of Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. Participants will prepare and teach actual classes in small group settings, with each class being videotaped and assessed by the group's faculty mentors and the other participants.

Professional Development has secured $80,000 of its planned $160,000 grant money to explore and promote the first three seminars, and expects to schedule an additional three seminars when the rest of the funds are realized.

Originally developed for civil engineering professors at the U.S. Military Academy, the collaborative program is open to all engineering disciplines. However, an applicant to the program must meet certain criteria. "Applications must be accompanied by a recommendation from the academic dean or engineering department head of the university where the applicant teaches," said Roman. "Additionally, applicants must include a written statement of their education philosophy, and a resume." A committee will review applications. Workshops are limited to 30 participants each.

The second slate of seminars is slated for April 4-6, 2002, at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, followed by another set to be held June 20-22 at Grand Valley State University in Grand Valley, Mich. The deadline for January seminar applications is Nov. 30.

For more information, contact Nema Roman at (212) 591-7079 or by e-mail: romann@asme.org. To register, visit www.asme.org/educate/pd/teach.

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