Designing a competency based program to facilitate the progression of experienced engineering technologists to professional engineer status

Article

Dowling, David. 2006. "Designing a competency based program to facilitate the progression of experienced engineering technologists to professional engineer status ." European Journal of Engineering Education. 31 (1), pp. 95-107. https://doi.org/10.1080/03043790500429542
Article Title

Designing a competency based program to facilitate the progression of experienced engineering technologists to professional engineer status

ERA Journal ID20622
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorDowling, David
Journal TitleEuropean Journal of Engineering Education
Journal Citation31 (1), pp. 95-107
Number of Pages13
Year2006
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Place of PublicationLondon, United Kingdom
ISSN0304-3797
1469-5898
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/03043790500429542
Web Address (URL)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03043790500429542
Abstract

This paper describes the pedagogical principles that underpin the design of the Master of Engineering Practice, a distance education program offered by the University of Southern Queensland. This innovative program enables experienced engineering technologists to use their workplace learning to assemble portfolios that demonstrate their achievement of many of the competencies defined for a graduate of the program. Students are required to be self-directed learners and to use reflective practices to assess their own learning. Following a self-assessment process undertaken in the first course in the program, each student prepares a Pathway to Graduation Plan
which they then follow through to graduation. Graduates of the program are able to become registered as Chartered Professional Engineers.

KeywordsRPL, workplace learning, portfolio, reflective practice, self-assessment, learning contract
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390113. Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy
409999. Other engineering not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

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

Byline AffiliationsDepartment of Surveying and Land Information
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9xx3x/designing-a-competency-based-program-to-facilitate-the-progression-of-experienced-engineering-technologists-to-professional-engineer-status

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted Version
Dowling_2006_EJEE.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 2489
    total views
  • 939
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Global graduate employability research: a report to the Business20 Human Capital Taskforce (DRAFT)
Kinash, Shelley, Crane, Linda, Knight, Cecily, Dowling, David, Mitchell, Kirsty, McLean, Matthew and Schulz, Mark. 2014. Global graduate employability research: a report to the Business20 Human Capital Taskforce (DRAFT). Australia. Bond University.
Get set for success: an update on the EngCAT project
Burton, Lorelle J., Dowling, David G., Kavanagh, Lydia, O'Moore, Liza, Aubrey, Tim, Lowe, David, Wilkes, Janelle, Glencross-Grant, Rex and McBride, William. 2012. "Get set for success: an update on the EngCAT project." Mann, Llewellyn and Daniel, Scott (ed.) 23rd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2012). Melbourne, Australia 03 - 05 Dec 2012 Melbourne, Australia.
Employing STEM graduates: identifying collaboration capabilities wanted by employers
Dowling, David. 2016. "Employing STEM graduates: identifying collaboration capabilities wanted by employers." McLaughlin, Patricia and Kennedy, Belinda (ed.) The STEM ecosystem: building cross-disciplinary leadership capacity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Melbourne. Gaby Chapman, The Writing Bureau. pp. 113-126
Maximizing graduate capabilities: Linking knowledge, skills, and workplace experiences
Newman, Tara and Dowling, David. 2014. "Maximizing graduate capabilities: Linking knowledge, skills, and workplace experiences." ACEN 2014 National Conference Work Integrated Learning: Building capacity. Gold Coast, Australia 01 - 03 Oct 2014 Australia.
Engineering pathways for regional Australia built through knowledge partnering
Symes, Mark, Allison, Janelle, Dowling, David and Ranmuthugala, Dev. 2014. "Engineering pathways for regional Australia built through knowledge partnering." Bainbridge-Smith, Andrew, Qi, Ziming Tom and Gupta, Gourab Sen (ed.) 25th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2014). Wellington, New Zealand 07 - 10 Dec 2014 Barton, ACT.
Building long-term capability in the Australian minerals industry – The MINAD project
Ayers, Ron, Dowling, David and Lind, Gavin. 2014. "Building long-term capability in the Australian minerals industry – The MINAD project." Bainbridge-Smith, Andrew, Qi, Ziming Tom and Gupta, Gourab Sen (ed.) 25th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2014). Wellington, New Zealand 07 - 10 Dec 2014 Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Ten years on: An evaluation of the success of the Master of Engineering Practice program
Dowling, David. 2014. "Ten years on: An evaluation of the success of the Master of Engineering Practice program ." Bainbridge-Smith, Andrew, Qi, Ziming Tom and Gupta, Gourab Sen (ed.) 25th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2014). Wellington, New Zealand 07 - 10 Dec 2014 Barton, ACT.
Reconsidering humanities programmes in Australian universities - embedding a new approach to strengthen the employability of humanities graduates by empowering them as 'global citizens'
Dowling, David, Rose, Samantha and O'Shea, Eidin. 2015. "Reconsidering humanities programmes in Australian universities - embedding a new approach to strengthen the employability of humanities graduates by empowering them as 'global citizens'." Social Alternatives. 34 (2), pp. 52-62.
Get set for success: using online self-assessments to motivate first year engineering students to engage in and manage their learning [Final report]
Burton, Lorelle, Dowling, David and Albion, Majella. 2013. Get set for success: using online self-assessments to motivate first year engineering students to engage in and manage their learning [Final report]. Sydney, Australia. Australia Office for Learning and Teaching.
Pathways from VET awards to engineering degrees: a higher education perspective
King, Robin, Dowling, David and Godfrey, Elizabeth. 2011. Pathways from VET awards to engineering degrees: a higher education perspective . Sydney, Australia. Australian Council of Engineering Deans.
An exploration of cross-disciplinary engineering education research collaborations
Dowling, David. 2009. "An exploration of cross-disciplinary engineering education research collaborations." Kestell, Colin, Grainger, Steven and Cheung, John (ed.) 20th Annual Conference for the Australasian Association of Engineering Education (AAEE 2009). Adelaide, Australia 06 - 09 Dec 2009 Canberra, Australia.
Towards an engineering career appraisal tool for secondary school students
Burton, Lorelle J. and Dowling, David G.. 2013. "Towards an engineering career appraisal tool for secondary school students." 41st Annual Engineering Education Conference(SEFI 2013): Engineering Education Fast Forward 1973-2013 . Leuven, Belgium 16 - 20 Sep 2013 Brussels, Belgium.
Enhancing student communication skills: the development of the PCR communication model for engineers
Dowling, David G.. 2013. "Enhancing student communication skills: the development of the PCR communication model for engineers." Froyen, Ludo (ed.) 41st Annual Engineering Education Conference(SEFI 2013): Engineering Education Fast Forward 1973-2013 . Leuven, Belgium 16 - 20 Sep 2013 Brussels, Belgium.
What do planners do? Define your discipline to drive undergraduate curriculum renewal
Basson, Marita and Dowling, David. 2013. "What do planners do? Define your discipline to drive undergraduate curriculum renewal." Featherstone, Jeffrey (ed.) 49th World Congress of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP 2013): Frontiers of Planning: Evolving and Declining Models of City Planning Practice. Brisbane, Australia 01 - 04 Oct 2013 The Hague, Netherlands.
Who are the clients and stakeholders? What are their needs? Engineering technician education in Australia
Dowling, David. 2011. "Who are the clients and stakeholders? What are their needs? Engineering technician education in Australia." 3rd Annual Vocational Education Summit (IIR 2011) . Melbourne, Australia 21 - 22 Nov 2011 Sydney, Australia.
Building a career in engineering education
Dowling, David, Kavanagh, Lydia and Goldfinch, Tom. 2012. "Building a career in engineering education." Mann, Llewellyn and Daniel, Scott (ed.) 23rd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2012). Melbourne, Australia 03 - 05 Dec 2012 Melbourne, Australia.
Defining your discipline to authenticate your curriculum
Dowling, David and Hadgraft, Roger. 2012. "Defining your discipline to authenticate your curriculum." Mann, Llewellyn and Daniel, Scott (ed.) 23rd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2012). Melbourne, Australia 03 - 05 Dec 2012 Melbourne, Australia.
Using the DYD stakeholder consultation process to connect with practitioners to define a set of graduate capabilities for a program
Dowling, David. 2012. "Using the DYD stakeholder consultation process to connect with practitioners to define a set of graduate capabilities for a program." 2012 International Conference on Innovation, Practice and Research in Engineering Education (EE2012). Coventry, United Kingdom 18 - 20 Sep 2012 Loughborough, UK.
Examining first year students' preparedness for studying engineering
Burton, Lorelle, Dowling, David, Kavanagh, Lydia, O'Moore, Liza and Wilkes, Janelle. 2012. "Examining first year students' preparedness for studying engineering." Mann, Llewellyn and Daniel, Scott (ed.) 23rd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2012). Melbourne, Australia 03 - 05 Dec 2012 Melbourne, Australia.
What should we teach? Defining your discipline to drive curriculum renewal: an environmental engineering case study
Dowling, D. G. and Hadgraft, R. G.. 2012. "What should we teach? Defining your discipline to drive curriculum renewal: an environmental engineering case study." Avdelas, Aris (ed.) 40th Annual Conference of European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI 2012): Engineering Education 2020: Meet the Future. Thessaloniki, Greece 23 - 26 Sep 2012 Brussels, Belgium.
Engineering technician students: do they understand their future role?
Dowling, David and Godfrey, Elizabeth. 2011. "Engineering technician students: do they understand their future role? " Al-Abdeli, Yasir M. and Lindsay, Euan (ed.) 22nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2011). Fremantle, Australia 05 - 07 Dec 2011 Canberra, Australia.
Developing an inclusive stakeholder consultation process: a case study
Dowling, David, Hadgraft, Roger and Lamborn, Julia. 2011. "Developing an inclusive stakeholder consultation process: a case study." Al-Abdeli, Yasir M. and Lindsay, Euan (ed.) 22nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2011). Fremantle, Australia 05 - 07 Dec 2011 Canberra, Australia.
A study of VET advanced diploma and HE associate degree programs in engineering
Dowling, David. 2011. "A study of VET advanced diploma and HE associate degree programs in engineering ." NCVER 2011: 20th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference: No Frills . Coffs Harbour, Australia 13 - 15 Jul 2011 Adelaide, South Australia.
Employer perspectives on engineering technician education in Australia
Dowling, David. 2011. "Employer perspectives on engineering technician education in Australia." Al-Abdeli, Yasir M. and Lindsay, Euan (ed.) 22nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2011). Fremantle, Australia 05 - 07 Dec 2011 Canberra, Australia.
A review of engineering technician education in Australia: programs, pathways and perspectives
Dowling, David. 2011. "A review of engineering technician education in Australia: programs, pathways and perspectives ." ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition (ASEE 2011): Your Passport to Engineering Education . Vancouver, Canada 26 - 29 Jun 2011 Washington, D.C. United States.
Managing student diversity in the Master of Engineering Practice program: by design
Dowling, D. G.. 2011. "Managing student diversity in the Master of Engineering Practice program: by design." Australasian Journal of Engineering Education. 17 (1), pp. 27-37.
A systematic consultation process to define graduate outcomes for engineering disciplines
Dowling, David G. and Hadgraft, Roger G.. 2011. "A systematic consultation process to define graduate outcomes for engineering disciplines." Hernandez, Wilmar (ed.) Research in Engineering Education Symposium (REES 2011) . Madrid, Spain 04 - 07 Oct 2011 Madrid, Spain.
A conceptual framework for the development of engineering courses
Faulconbridge, Robert Ian and Dowling, David. 2009. "A conceptual framework for the development of engineering courses." Kestell, Colin, Grainger, Steven and Cheung, John (ed.) 20th Annual Conference for the Australasian Association of Engineering Education (AAEE 2009). Adelaide, Australia 06 - 09 Dec 2009 Canberra, Australia.
In search of the key factors that influence student success at university
Burton, Lorelle J. and Dowling, David. 2005. "In search of the key factors that influence student success at university." Brew, Angela and Asmar, Christine (ed.) 28th Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia Annual Conference (HERDSA 2005). Sydney, Australia 03 - 06 Jul 2005 Sydney, Australia.
Distance education for New Zealand technician surveyors: a review of the options
Dowling, David and Taylor, Robert. 2004. "Distance education for New Zealand technician surveyors: a review of the options." 4th Trans Tasman Surveyors Conference. Auckland, New Zealand 13 - 16 Oct 2005 Auckland, New Zealand.
In search of factors that influence academic success: a comparison between on-campus and distance students
Burton, Lorelle and Dowling, David. 2010. "In search of factors that influence academic success: a comparison between on-campus and distance students." Gardner, Anne and Jolly, Lesley (ed.) 21st Annual Conference for the Australasian Association of Engineering Education (AAEE 2010). Sydney, Australia 05 - 08 Dec 2010 Sydney, Australia.
A review of three approaches to determining students' capabilities for studying engineering
Burton, Lorelle J., Dowling, David G., Kavanagh, Lydia and Aubrey, Tim. 2011. "A review of three approaches to determining students' capabilities for studying engineering." Al-Abdeli, Yasir M. and Lindsay, Euan (ed.) 22nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2011). Fremantle, Australia 05 - 07 Dec 2011 Canberra, Australia.
The career aspirations and other characteristics of Australian para-professional engineering students
Dowling, David. 2010. "The career aspirations and other characteristics of Australian para-professional engineering students." Gardner, Anne and Jolly, Lesley (ed.) 21st Annual Conference for the Australasian Association of Engineering Education (AAEE 2010). Sydney, Australia 05 - 08 Dec 2010 Sydney, Australia.
A review of para-professional engineering education in Australia: exploring the VET-HE divide
Dowling, David. 2010. "A review of para-professional engineering education in Australia: exploring the VET-HE divide." Gardner, Anne and Jolly, Lesley (ed.) 21st Annual Conference for the Australasian Association of Engineering Education (AAEE 2010). Sydney, Australia 05 - 08 Dec 2010 Sydney, Australia.
Systems approach to engineering education design
Faulconbridge, Robert Ian and Dowling, David. 2010. "Systems approach to engineering education design." 2010 Systems Engineering/Test and Evaluation Conference (SETE 2010). Adelaide, Australia 03 - 06 May 2010 Adelaide, Australia.
The effects of gender on the success of a cohort of engineering students
Burton, Lorelle J. and Dowling, David G.. 2010. "The effects of gender on the success of a cohort of engineering students." Willis, E. (ed.) Engineering Education Conference (EE 2010): Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers . Birmingham, United Kingdom 06 - 08 Jul 2010 Loughborough, United Kingdom.
The career aspirations of associate degree students: implications for engineering educators and the profession
Dowling, David. 2010. "The career aspirations of associate degree students: implications for engineering educators and the profession." Willis, E. (ed.) Engineering Education Conference (EE 2010): Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers . Birmingham, United Kingdom 06 - 08 Jul 2010 Loughborough, United Kingdom.
Key factors that influence engineering students' academic success: a longitudinal study
Burton, Lorelle J. and Dowling, David G.. 2009. "Key factors that influence engineering students' academic success: a longitudinal study." Mann, Llewellyn and Hadgraft, Roger (ed.) Research in Engineering Education Symposium (REES 2009) . Cairns, Australia 20 - 23 Jul 2009 Melbourne, Australia.
A study of the understanding of knowledge and learning of a cohort of mature age students
Dowling, David G. and Burton, Lorelle J.. 2009. "A study of the understanding of knowledge and learning of a cohort of mature age students." Mann, Llewellyn and Hadgraft, Roger (ed.) Research in Engineering Education Symposium (REES 2009) . Cairns, Australia 20 - 23 Jul 2009 Melbourne, Australia.
Engineering your future: an Australasian guide
Dowling, David, Carew, Anna and Hadgraft, Roger. 2010. Engineering your future: an Australasian guide. Brisbane, Australia. John Wiley & Sons.
Assessment of prior workplace learning: a case study
Dowling, David. 2009. "Assessment of prior workplace learning: a case study." 16th World Conference on Cooperative Education and Work Integrated Learning: An International Dialogue in Vancouver. Vancouver, Canada 23 - 26 Jun 2009 Vancouver, Canada.
Using graduate attributes as a curriculum design tool
Dowling, D. G.. 2009. "Using graduate attributes as a curriculum design tool." van den Bogaard, Maartje, de Graaff, Erik and Saunders-Smits, Gillian (ed.) 37th European Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference SEFI 2009): Attracting Young People to Engineering . Rotterdam, Netherlands 01 - 04 Jul 2009 Brussels, Belgium.
Learning approaches, personality and concepts of knowledge of first-year students: mature-age versus school leaver
Burton, Lorelle J., Taylor, Janet A., Dowling, David G. and Lawrence, Jill. 2009. "Learning approaches, personality and concepts of knowledge of first-year students: mature-age versus school leaver." Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development. 6 (1), pp. 65-81.
The end of the pipeline: profiling commencing students to ease their transition into an engineering school
Dowling, David and Burton, Lorelle J.. 2005. "The end of the pipeline: profiling commencing students to ease their transition into an engineering school." Radcliffe, David and Humphries, Josh (ed.) 4th ASEE/AaeE Global Colloquium on Engineering Education. Sydney, Australia 26 - 29 Sep 2005 Brisbane, Australia.
Understanding student diversity and the factors that influence academic success: a preliminary study
Burton, Lorelle J., Dowling, David, Dorman, Marilyn and Brodie, Lyn. 2005. "Understanding student diversity and the factors that influence academic success: a preliminary study." McInerey, Dennis M. and Van Etten, Shawn (ed.) Focus on curriculum. Greenwich, Connecticut, United States. Information Age Publishing. pp. 275-298
Studying engineering by distance education: an Australian case study
Dowling, David. 2004. "Studying engineering by distance education: an Australian case study." Engineering Education 2004 (EE2004). Wolverhampton, United Kingdom 07 - 09 Jun 2004 Wolverhampton.
Inducting new academic staff into a flexible education environment
Dowling, David. 2003. "Inducting new academic staff into a flexible education environment." Brown, Alison (ed.) 14th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2003). Melbourne, Australia 29 Sep - 01 Oct 2003 Melbourne, Australia.
An assessment paradox: striving for best practice in an environment of increasing constraints
Walkington, Jackie and Dowling, David. 2002. "An assessment paradox: striving for best practice in an environment of increasing constraints." Shankar, K. and Burrowes, G. (ed.) 13th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2002). Canberra, Australia 30 Sep - 03 Oct 2002 Canberra, Australia.