Introduction to Engineering and Urban PlanningWeek 6

Learning & broadening vision for Engineering Students

Engineering & Planning Education

Learning & Broadening VisionWhat is learning?Characteristics of “ Expert” learnersLearning is a reinforcement processMistakes students makeDon’t be hung up on the idea of seeking

helpPreparing for the course and the lecturesReading : before, while and after readingPrepare for the testsBroadening Your EducationEngineering Education

Dr Nihad Almughany - Int. to Engg - 1st s. 2007/8

What is Learning

Learning is the process of acquiringNew knowledge and intellectual skills (Cognitive learning)New manual or physical skills (Psychomotor learning)

New emotional responses, attitudes, and values

(Affective learning)Dr Nihad Almughany - Int. to Engg - 1st s. 2007/8

Characteristics of “ Expert “ Learners Control the learning process rather than

become a victim of it Are active, not passive, in their approach to

learning Are motivated (e.g., enjoy learning, have

short-term and long-term goals, etc) Are disciplined (e.g. have learned good habits

and use them consistently) Are more aware of themselves as learners

(e.g. know their own strengths and weaknesses)

Initiate opportunities to learn Set specific learning goals for themselves

Dr Nihad Almughany - Int. to Engg - 1st s. 2007/8

Characteristics of “ Expert “ Learners, Cont.

Have a larger repertoire of learning strategies from which to choose

Know not only what to learn, but how to learnPlan their approach to learningMonitor their learning while it’s happeningEvaluate the effectiveness of learning approaches

and strategiesUse learning strategies selectivelyTend to attribute failures to correctable causesTend to attribute successes to personal

competence

Dr Nihad Almughany - Int. to Engg - 1st s. 2007/8

Learning is a Reinforcement Process

Before class Prepare for the lecture by reviewing notes, reading text, attempting a few problems, formulating some questions

During class Attend lecture, concentrate intently, take detailed notes, ask questions

After class, but before next Review and annotate notes, reread text; work assigned

class meeting problems, work extra problems, meet with a study partner or study group to go

over material and problems

In preparation for test or exam Review notes; review text, rework problems, meet with a study partner or study group to go over material and problems

In preparation for final exam Review notes, reread text, rework problems, meet with a study partner or study group to go over material and problems

When What To Do

Mistakes Students MakeAssume engineering study will Work to understand

and adjust be like high school to the differences between high school and engineering study

Program themselves for failure Create a life situation that enables you to devote adequate time and energy to your studies

Spend little time on campus Immerse yourself in the academic environment of the institution

Neglect studying Schedule study time. Devote significant time and energy to

studying.

Delay studying until test is announced Master the material presented in each class prior to next class

Study 100% alone Study collaboratively with other students

Mistakes Students Make Strategies for Overcoming Them

Mistakes Students Make (continued)

Come to each lecture unprepared Review notes, read text, attempt problems prior to each lecture

Avoid professors Interact regularly with professors outside the classroom

Cut classes/don’t get the most out of lectures Attend classes and practice good listening skills. Ask questions in class.

Fail to take notes; or fail to use the notes Take effective notes and use a systematic learning

properly in the learning process methodology to study from notes

Skim over material in an assigned chapter Use reading for comprehension methodology to

in a rush to get to homework problems understand general concepts before attempting problems

Fail to solve assigned problems. Don’t Solve not only assigned problems but extra problems;

approach problems using a systematic use systematic problem solving methods

problem solving method

Mistakes Students Make Strategies for Overcoming Them

Don’t Be Hung Up on the Idea of Seeking Help

If I have seen a little further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants - Isaac Newton

Primary sources of “help” with your academic work

Your peersYour professors

Early Course Preparation

Start of a course can be likened to the start of a race

Using the course syllabus

Acquiring textbooks and other materials

Preparing for LecturesReview notes, read text, attempt

problems, formulate questionsLittle like “warming up” for a physical

workoutMakes lectures a reinforcement

rather than an initial exposureSmall effort can have a big payoff

During Your Lectures

Sit near the front“Be here now” (concentrate)Practice good listening skillsTake good notesAsk questions in class

Reading : Before You Read

Establish a purpose for the reading

Survey/skim/preview

Make a list of questions to be answered

Reading : While You ReadRead activelyFocus on understanding concepts

thoroughlyTake your time; don’t try to read too

fastWrite down questions that need to be

answered about anything you don’t understand

Periodically, stop and recite (ideally aloud) what you have read

Reading : After You Read

Recite answers to the questions you prepared before you started reading. Reread where needed.

Review within a day; again in a week; when you prepare for an exam; and when you prepare for the final exam.

Solve problems

Benefits of Group Study

You’ll be better prepared for the engineering “work-world”

You’ll learn more

You’ll enjoy it more

Preparing For TestsSchedule time for review

“Scope out” tests

Practice under time pressure

Get a good night’s sleep

Make sure you have the right materials and tools

Arrive early

Test-Taking Strategies

Size up the test

Work the easier problems first

Be aware of the time

Complete a problem before leaving it

If time permits, check and recheck your work (never leave a test early)

Broadening Your Education

Co-curricular/Extra curricular Activities

No one will make you do these. You will have to “step up to the plate”.

May have greater educational value than even your required coursework.

Examples of Co-curricular Activities

Participation in student organizations

Participation in engineering projects

Pre-professional employment

Benefits of Participation in Student OrganizationsMeet your social needsDevelop your leadership and

organizational skillsEngage in professional

development activitiesReceive academic supportParticipate in service activities

Participation in Engineering Projects

Student design competitions

Technical paper contest

Design clinics

Undergraduate research

Pre-Professional Employment

Summer jobs

Part-time jobsCooperative education (“co-op”) experiences

Benefits of Pre-professional Employment

Develop job search skillsGain exposure to engineering practiceMake moneyApply your knowledge, skills, and abilitiesStrengthen motivation to succeed in

engineering studyGain references for future employment

Engineering EducationUniversities : There are 3 Engineering

Faculties in The West Bank and 3 in Gaza Strip.Major specializations :

Civil Engineering Architecture and Planning Mechanical Engineering Industrial Engineering Electrical Engineering IT , Electronic , communication and Programming

Engineering. Environmental Engineering

Community Colleges : Provide Diploma in different engineering topics.

Dr Nihad Almughany - Int. to Engg - 1st s. 2007/8

Applied Engineering and Urban Planning Faculty, UP

Awards The Bsc in Engineering after a completion of the required credit hours and the non- credit hours and a 2 months training course.

Departments of the facultyDepartment of Applied Civil Engineering قسم الهندسة المدنية

التطبيقيةDepartment of Architecture and Urban Planning قسم العمارة

والتخطيط العمرانيDepartment of Engineering Programming قسم هندسة

البرمجياتThe UP coordinates Masters and PhD programmes in

Engineering and Planning with The University of North Virginia and the University of Cairo

Dr Nihad Almughany - Int. to Engg - 1st s. 2007/8

Position of Engineering Unit in University

ABET Engineering Criteria 2000

StudentsProgram Educational ObjectivesProgram Outcomes and AssessmentProfessional ComponentFacultyFacilitiesInstitutional Support and Financial ResourcesProgram Criteria

Academic Regulations & Academic Performance Grade point average

Credit/No creditIncompletesRepeat grade policyWithdrawal and additionPostponementBreak offSemester averageCumulative averageAcademic warning and dismissalGraduation RequirementsGraduation with Honors

Student Rights (Examples)

Right to receive advisementRight to express your views, receive

instruction, be graded fairlyRight to form and participate in clubs and

organizationsRight to publish or broadcast opinions or

concernsRight to file petitionsRight to file grievancesRight to privacy of your records

Student Conduct and Ethics (Examples)

Cheating or plagiarismForgery, alternation, or misuse of campus

documents, records or identificationObstruction or disruption of the campus

educational processPhysical abuse of any member of the campus

communityTheft of campus propertySale or possession of dangerous drugsAnd many more

Academic Dishonesty

Cheating

Fabrication

Facilitating academic dishonesty

Plagiarism

Graduate Study in Engineering

Benefits of graduate study in engineering

M.S. degree in engineering

Ph.D. degree in engineering

How will you support yourself?