THE ENGINEERING CLASSROOM IS STILL RELEVANT
ABSTRACT
Attrition in engineering is a complex issue with dynamically linked variables related to teaching methods in the classroom, student learning behaviors, and student perceptions of difficult material. Extensive research has been conducted in order to understand common, yet ineffective teaching practices in engineering that result in the loss of numerous future engineers. The objective of this study was to determine student actions necessary to achieve a desired grade in any engineering course, regardless of course delivery method and instructor effectiveness in the classroom. An anonymous survey was disseminated and logistic regression models were developed in order to determine relationships between self-regulated learning behaviors and final grades in seven freshman to senior engineering classes taught by faculty in the civil engineering department. A total of five prediction models were developed for each letter grade, with the failing grade “F” serving as the baseline condition, or null model. The models found three significant variables that affect a student’s final grade: regular class attendance, note-taking during class, and if he or she could keep up with the instructor during lecture. These interactive learning behaviors were all identified as critical for success, defining success as receiving an “A” in an engineering course. The combination of students taking notes and attending class showed the highest probability of a student receiving an “A” without which the probability of receiving an “A” dropped by 28%. Results of this study have been summarized into a graphic that the authors show and discuss during the first class with students. This powerful graphic shows students what they can do in classes of all levels of civil engineering to succeed in their ever-changing learning environment.
Dr. Fitzsimmons is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Kansas State University. He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering with a specialization in transportation from Iowa State University. During his graduate career, Dr. Fitzsimmons worked at the Institute for Transportation (InTrans) at Iowa State University and received training to specialize in highway safety, particularly in rural areas. Dr. Fitzsimmons worked closely with staff at the Iowa Department of Iowa (Iowa DOT) and developed many relationships with local road supervisors, and county engineers. His dissertation investigated horizontal curves and how drivers traverse through the curve by collected vehicle lateral position and speed data. The results of the dissertation found that there are distinct differences between drivers in urban areas and rural areas when traversing a curve. Through the research he assisted with, Dr. Fitzsimmons has made a substantial impact to roadway safety in both rural and urban areas. Dr. Fitzsimmons continued his highway safety work as a Post- Doctoral Researcher at the University of Kansas where he worked with the Kansas Department of Transportation on research to improve road safety in both urban and rural areas, specifically investigating low-cost countermeasures, crash analyses, and work zone safety. Dr. Fitzsimmons was award two FHWA Dwight D. Eisenhower Fellowships. He also won regional and local awards through the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Dr. Fitzsimmons is a member of the Transportation Research Board’s standing committees on Traffic Law Enforcement (ANB40), Operational Effects of Geometrics (AHB65), and Access Management (ANB70).
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3283-6235
Kansas State University
[biography]
Dr. Stacey Kulesza is an associate professor in the civil engineering department at Texas State University. Dr. Kulesza is a graduate of the American Society of Civil Engineers Excellence in Civil Engineering Education (ExCEED). She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in geotechnical engineering.
Xiongya Li was born in Dalian, China. He received the B.S. degree in mathematics and economics from the Emporia State University, Kansas. Now he is Ph.D. candidate in statistics at Kansas State University.
He joined the department of statistics in 2013 and became a graduate teaching assistant. He has also been a graduate research assistant in the summer of 2014 and summer of 2015. His current research interests include measurement error models, robust Laplace distribution, variable selection in high dimensional data and count data. He is also a member of American Statistical Association.
He was the recipient of the Howard Siepman Memorial Scholarship, Statistics Graduate Resesearch Scholarship, and U.S. Mathematical Contest in Modeling Competition as meritorious winner.
Whitney Jeter is a social psychologist. She received her PhD from Kansas State University and currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Fort Hays State University. She teaches a variety of classes including general psychology, social psychology, and personality.
Jana Fallin is Director of the Teaching & Learning Center at Kansas State University. She received the highest teaching award at the University, the Coffman Chair of the University Distinguished Teaching Scholars, in 2002. She is a professor in music, with degrees from Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin.
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