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Engineering Design Thinking: High School Students' Performance and Knowledge

delete2015-10-24
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PRE
AI
N
Nathan Mentzer *
K
Kurt Becker
M
Mathias J. Sutton
DOI:10.1002/jee.20105delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
BackgroundBecause design is recognized as a critical element of engineering thinking, it is crucial for educators to utilize the most effective methods to teach engineering problem solving. Results from this study of students' thinking process may shape future teaching methods. PurposeThis article explores the differences in design processes between high school engineering students and expert engineers. It also examines the differences between high school freshmen who have taken one engineering course and seniors who have taken a series of engineering courses. Design/MethodFifty-nine high school students from four states were asked to think aloud in a three-hour design task that was audio and video recorded. Verbal reports from the audio and video became source data for protocol analysis. Results from previous studies provided expert design performance data for comparisons. ResultsStudents and experts alike spent a large portion of their time modeling. Students spent significantly less time in the process of information gathering than experts. Freshmen spent significantly less time in the idea generation process than seniors and experts. Freshmen and seniors spent significantly less time determining the feasibility of their ideas, evaluating alternative ideas, and decision making than experts. ConclusionsHigh school students engage in design thinking with little understanding of the problem from the client's perspective. Students tend to become fixated on a single solution rather than comparing alternatives. By encouraging development of alternative solutions, K-12 engineering education could foster opportunities to critically evaluate students' design solutions.
Keywords:
engineering design
high school
engineering education

Journal

Journal of Engineering Education cover
Journal of Engineering Education
IF:
3.4
Papers:
895
Citations:
3.5K

Organization

Purdue University System cover
Purdue University System
Scholars:
4.0W
Papers: 3.6W
Citations: 66
P
Purdue University
Scholars:
2.7W
Papers: 2.1W
Citations: 147
U
Utah System of Higher Education
Scholars:
4.6W
Papers: 4.0W
Citations: 161
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