Humanities in Engineering Education PDF

WHY CHANGE ENGINEERING EDUCATION? PRAGMATIC PERSPECTIVES FROM THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES T. Staley & D. Bairaktarova Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, United States 50th Annual Conference in September 2022 Introduction: Why is Change Necessary in Engineering E...

WHY CHANGE ENGINEERING EDUCATION? PRAGMATIC PERSPECTIVES FROM THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES T. Staley & D. Bairaktarova Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, United States 50th Annual Conference in September 2022 Introduction: Why is Change Necessary in Engineering Education? Engineering education today needs change. Humanities add skills like communication, ethics, and social awareness to engineering. Technological advancements require engineers to develop human-centered skills. Contributions of Humanities and Social Sciences to Engineering “Soft skills” like communication and cultural awareness are becoming increasingly valuable. Engineers can be more effective by combining technical knowledge with social skills. Humanities help engineers become more empathetic and socially aware. Humanities enable engineers to make more comprehensive and effective decisions. "Soft skills" refer to non-technical skills that influence how individuals interact, communicate, and work with others. In engineering, these include abilities like: Cultural Communication Awareness: Teamwork: : Effectively Recognizing and Collaborating sharing ideas, respecting well with listening, and cultural colleagues, often understanding differences in from different others' diverse work disciplines. perspectives. Problem- environments. These skills help Adaptability: Solving: engineers work Being open to Approaching effectively in teams, change and issues creatively understand user adjusting to new and considering needs, and respond challenges. various flexibly to complex, real-world problems. perspectives. Ethics Education in Engineering Ethics courses help engineers understand the societal impact of their work. Engineers are encouraged to develop responsible, community- focused solutions. Ethics education teaches engineers to consider social responsibility in their decisions. The ethical use of technology is a key aspect of engineering education. Social Awareness and Engineering Considering user needs is essential in engineering design. Social and cultural factors should be part of the design process. Engineers need to evaluate the impact of their solutions on society. This awareness helps engineers create more sustainable solutions.  The methods to identify user needs in engineering design: 1.User Research: Conducting user research to understand the needs, expectations, and pain points of the target audience. This can include surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews to gather data. 2.Empathy Mapping: Creating empathy maps to understand the users' perspectives. This helps to identify what users are thinking, feeling, seeing, and hearing. 3.User Personas: Developing character profiles that represent typical users. Each persona reflects the needs, goals, and habits of a specific user group. 4.User Journey Mapping: Mapping out the process of how users interact with a product or service. This method captures the step-by-step experience of users and helps identify potential challenges they face. 5.Usability Testing: Allowing users to test the product or prototype. These tests help observe how users interact with the product and identify areas for improvement. 6.Feedback Loops: Regularly gathering feedback from users and incorporating this feedback into the design process. Feedback is a valuable source for making adjustments to better meet user needs. 1. User Research How to Conduct It?: Define the target audience: Collect demographic data such as age, gender, education level, etc. Surveys: Conduct online or in-person surveys to reach a broad audience quickly. Focus Groups: Organize group discussions to gain in-depth insights on specific topics. One-on-One Interviews: Conduct individual interviews to obtain detailed, personal information. Use open-ended questions to understand the participant’s needs and expectations. 2. Empathy Mapping How to Conduct It?: Define the users: Clarify who the target audience is and identify the main user groups. Focus on what users think, feel, see, and hear. Group activities or individual interviews can be used to create these maps. An empathy map helps understand how a user perceives the product and identifies the challenges they may face. 3. User Personas How to Conduct It?: Create different user profiles based on actual user data. Define characteristics for each persona, such as age, occupation, needs, goals, and behaviors. Analyze data collected from user research to create detailed profiles for each persona. These profiles help the team keep users’ needs in mind during the design and development process. 4. User Journey Mapping How to Conduct It?: Analyze each step of the user’s interaction with the product or service. Map out each stage of the user’s experience, the challenges they face, and their emotional responses. Identify users’ goals and expectations and understand what experience they go through at each stage. This mapping provides insights into how to improve processes to better meet user needs. 5. Usability Testing How to Conduct It?: Allow real users to test the product or prototype. Ask users to complete specific tasks and observe any difficulties they encounter. Observation and Feedback: Observe how users interact with the product and collect their feedback. Identify problems users face and determine the necessary improvements for the product. 6. Feedback Loops How to Conduct It?: Regularly collect feedback from users. Use surveys, review sessions, or user tests to gather this feedback. Analyze user feedback and integrate it into the development process. Continuous Improvement: Make adjustments to the product based on user needs and repeat this cycle regularly. These feedback loops enable the development of a product that better meets user needs. Personal Development in Engineering Education Personal development is crucial for professional success in engineering. Professional success in engineering combines both technical skills and personal qualities, including communication, ethical standards, and adaptability, to make a meaningful impact in the field. Working with different disciplines broadens students’ perspectives. Engineering education imparts not only technical but also social skills. Personal development contributes to engineers’ creativity and flexibility.  Professional success encompasses the following key elements: 1.Technical Competence: Mastery of engineering principles, tools, and techniques that enable the engineer to solve complex problems effectively. 2.Career Advancement: Progression in roles, responsibilities, and recognition within the engineering field, which may include promotions, leadership roles, or specialized positions. 3.Impactful Contributions: Developing solutions or projects that positively affect society, improve processes, or contribute to technological advancements. 4.Adaptability and Continuous Learning: Staying updated with new technologies, methodologies, and industry trends to remain competitive and innovative. 5.Professional Reputation: Building a respected image within the industry based on integrity, reliability, and the ability to collaborate well with others. 6.Work-Life Balance: Achieving a healthy balance between work responsibilities and personal life, which contributes to long-term career sustainability and satisfaction. Design and Social Interaction Design is a social process involving interaction with users. Social factors are essential when developing solutions for real- world problems. Engineers should consider user feedback in the design process. This interaction leads to more user-friendly and accessible products. Instilling a Sense of Ethics and Social Responsibility in Students Engineers need not only technical knowledge but also social responsibility. Ethical values should be taught as a fundamental part of engineering education. Students are encouraged to create solutions that consider the public good. A sense of social responsibility helps engineers consider the long-term effects of their projects. Harmonizing Scientific and Human-Centered Knowledge Technical knowledge should align with human-centered understanding. Engineers should draw on both types of knowledge to create human-centered solutions. Designs that take human needs into account yield more successful results. When scientific knowledge is combined with social values, engineering projects become more impactful. Requirements for Comprehensive Engineering Education It’s essential to build a well-rounded curriculum that includes humanities. Integrating multiple disciplines offers students a broader perspective. A well-rounded education prepares engineers for future challenges. A comprehensive curriculum develops both technical and social skills in students. Preparing for Real-Life Situations in Engineering Students should be prepared to handle complex real-world problems. Including real-life examples in education gives students valuable experience. Creative thinking is encouraged in engineering education for problem-solving. Real-life situations enable engineers to produce practical and effective solutions. Skills Expected of Engineers in the 21st Century Skills like analytical thinking, creativity, ethics, and leadership are essential. How can these skills be developed in today’s engineering education? These skills can be developed in today’s engineering education through a combination of targeted approaches and experiential learning opportunities. Here are some effective methods: 1.Project-Based Learning: Engaging students in real-world projects where they can apply theoretical knowledge, work in teams, and solve practical problems. This fosters collaboration, problem-solving, and technical skills. 2.Internships and Industry Partnerships: Providing students with hands-on experience through internships and partnerships with companies. This allows them to understand workplace dynamics and gain practical skills in a professional environment. 3.Soft Skills Courses: Including specific courses on communication, teamwork, leadership, and ethics in the curriculum to build interpersonal skills alongside technical education. 4.Interdisciplinary Learning: Encouraging students to take courses in the humanities, social sciences, or business to broaden their perspective and improve cultural awareness, critical thinking, and adaptability. These skills can be developed in today’s engineering education through a combination of targeted approaches and experiential learning opportunities. Here are some effective methods: 5. Simulation and Case Studies: Using simulations and case studies to expose students to complex, real-world engineering challenges. This helps them develop decision-making, analytical thinking, and ethical reasoning skills. 6. Mentorship Programs: Pairing students with industry professionals or faculty mentors who can guide their personal and professional growth, provide feedback, and help them navigate challenges in their field. 7.Team-Based Assignments: Incorporating team-based assignments to help students learn collaboration, leadership, and conflict resolution. By integrating these methods into engineering education, institutions can prepare students not only with technical expertise but also with the social and professional skills necessary for career success. Interdisciplinary Education Approach An expansive model that combines engineering and social sciences. An interdisciplinary approach in engineering education enhances holistic learning. Interdisciplinary education enables students to view problems from multiple perspectives. This approach helps engineers gain a deeper understanding of complex issues.