Use of online discussion groups to increase student understanding of global social and technical issues

Paper

Ayers, Ron. 2005. "Use of online discussion groups to increase student understanding of global social and technical issues." Radcliffe, David and Humphries, Josh (ed.) 4th ASEE/AaeE Global Colloquium on Engineering Education. Sydney, Australia 26 - 29 Sep 2005 Brisbane, Australia.
Paper/Presentation Title

Use of online discussion groups to increase student understanding of global social and technical issues

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorAyers, Ron
EditorsRadcliffe, David and Humphries, Josh
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 4th ASEE/AaeE Global Colloquium on Engineering Education
Number of Pages10
Year2005
Place of PublicationBrisbane, Australia
ISBN1864998288
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://www.asee.org/conferences/international/2005/2005highlights.cfm
Conference/Event4th ASEE/AaeE Global Colloquium on Engineering Education
Event Details
4th ASEE/AaeE Global Colloquium on Engineering Education
Event Date
26 to end of 29 Sep 2005
Event Location
Sydney, Australia
Abstract

Most engineering programs at University of Southern Queensland are offered in both on-campus and distance education modes. The Faculty of Engineering and Surveying student cohort has consisted of approximately 25 percent on-campus and 75 percent distance education students for more than a decade. In recent years, the proportion of international students has increased markedly and now approximately 30 percent of students in both modes are from a non-Australian background. This paper describes how the national and cultural diversity of the student cohort has been utilized in an engineering course to increase student awareness and understanding of global social and technical issues. The method employed has been to use a component of the assessment scheme to require students to participate in an on-line discussion group where they share local information about issues relating to transport, a commodity which all students use in one form or another. The information the students are asked to research and share is factual knowledge drawn from their own experience and web research of local sites. The method was introduced after finding that many students in both modes of study had a fairly restricted understanding of many of the social and technical issues outside their own direct experience. The method has been well received by students and could be used in a variety of other courses where the student cohort features a range of social and cultural backgrounds.

Keywordsonline discussion group, engineering education, social issues
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390405. Educational technology and computing
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsDepartment of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering
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