1 / 10

Proceedings of ASEE 2008

Proceedings of ASEE 2008. AC 2008-1195 In-Class Creativity Exercises for Engineering Students Jonathan Weaver (University of Detriot Mercy) ‏ Karim Muci-K üchler (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology) ‏. Introduction. Need to “revitalize” engineering education

walda
Télécharger la présentation

Proceedings of ASEE 2008

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Proceedings of ASEE 2008 • AC 2008-1195 In-Class Creativity Exercises for Engineering Students • Jonathan Weaver (University of Detriot Mercy)‏ • Karim Muci-Küchler (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology)‏

  2. Introduction • Need to “revitalize” engineering education • Ability to innovate is key to remaining competitive • Emphasis on entrepreneurship and product development • 3 exercises conducted to measure and study creativity of engineering students (sophomore to graduate level)‏

  3. Spelling Exercise • Subject 1 is given un-marked wooden blocks and asked to spell 'lit' • Subject 2 is given alphabet blocks (with T removed) and asked to spell 'lit' • Subject 3 is given alphabet blocks (with T removed) and asked to spell other words such as dog and ear and then spell 'lit' • All subjects are timed

  4. Spelling Exercise • Times for subject 1 were the fastest, and subject 3 was the slowest • Theorized that even though the alphabet blocks have more 'information' on them they lead the subject towards an invalid solution. • Spelling of other words first where it was possible without the T also locks the subject into a frame of thinking

  5. Parts Handling Operation • A key-ring with several keys is placed on a stool • Subjects are asked to stay behind a marked line on the ground • Subject 1 is given a broom with a screw-off handle and asked to retrieve the keys (keys cannot touch the ground)‏ • Subject 2 is given the broom and an assortment of random things (specified to be as useless as possible).

  6. Parts Handling Operation • Subject 1 tends to focus more on the stool and keys • Subject 2 tends to focus on the assortment of junk • Theory is that even though subject 2 has more freedom, that freedom actually distracts him/her • Breadth first vs. depth first approach

  7. Bisociation Exercise • Bisociation is another name for the Juxtaposition exercise • Group is given 3 minutes to brainstorm ideas for new earrings. Ideas are tallied for each individual student • A short presentation on bisociation follows. (Auction + web = Ebay, horse carriage + steam engine = locomotive, etc)‏ • Given another 3 minutes to come up with ideas for earrings + north pole

  8. Bisociation Exercise • Number of ideas generated in each session did not differ substantially • Almost all ideas from the second session were new ideas (ie the student did not recycle it from the first session)‏

  9. Outside thoughts • Analogies can be drawn to current engineering education where students are taught engineering science and theory and come to expect solutions to lie in certain directions • A wider knowledge base helps in the Bisociation exercise • Authors predict getting similar results if the study were to be done with freshmen or k-12, but I don't know...

  10. Outside Thoughts • Exercises very reminiscent of MESA challenges • IDC On site design • Walk on water (guy on skies)‏ • Applies to more than just engineering students however engineers are on traditionally very rigid tracks.

More Related