An Engineering Community
Investigating Barriers and Opportunities
Kath Clay
 Engineering students do not readily engage in course-based
collaboration: true or false and WHY?
 What would be the roles of a subject-wide community?
 Model of community: format, content and purpose.
The Enquiry:
Methodology:
What are the existing student on-line
collaboration trends within the
Engineering Subject area?
(i)
(ii)
Findings:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Reflections:
Approx. 30% participation
(over third of these ‘lurkers’).
Find systems ‘easy to use’.
Lack of confidence to engage
in technical debates.
Lack of time.
(i)
(ii)
Students:
Require identified purpose
for participation.
Are pragmatic - with low
tolerance of ‘social chatter’.
“Student more inclined to engage if introduced at
course event or residential school”
COMMUNITY MODEL
PROPOSAL
PURPOSE
Professional Development
Career Development
Academic Transition
Support
Subject Identity ‘Glue’
Engineering Project
Enquiries
CONTENT
DELIVERY
COMMENTS
Professional Portfolio
Guidance (‘T191 continued‘).
Soft skills’ workshops.
ECUK & Institute site links.
FAQ resource.
Accreditation news / updates.
‘Ask the Eng. team site’
(Asynchronous & archived).
Self-study resources for ‘soft skills’.
Exemplar engineering options
degree profiles & alumni
career progressions.
Sources of career advice.
Asynchronous Careers forum open
at fixed time(s) of year.
Themed industry sector review
forums (time-bound).
Links to Careers Service.
Reflection skills development.
Eng. related study skills
library.
Course choice advice & hints.
Workshop tutorials on eng. related
study skills themes.
Links to OU study skills resources.
Links to study support resources.
FAQ resource.
Themed general seminars.
Showcase for OU
Engineering Research.
Subject news and views.
Podcasts Seminars (by ALs &
academic staff).
Synchronous debates / archives.
Links to OU Eng. Research Sites.
‘Ask the team’ events.
Advice on project:
Subject selection
Preparation
Process.
FAQ resource.
Asynchronous forum open at fixed
time(s) of year.
Comments archive from past
students.
Note: will still have course-based forum for specific subject teaching.
Challenge ahead – integration of (electronic) community model into the Student
Support Development Plans within the Engineering Subject area.
Centres for Excellence in Teaching & Learning
COLMSCT
Other stakeholder
inputs (AL &
academic staff)
On-line survey and
Structured individual
interviews of students
studying level 2 courses.
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