Design Experiences, Engineering Identity, and Belongingness in Early Career Electrical and Computer Engineering Students
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| Title: | Design Experiences, Engineering Identity, and Belongingness in Early Career Electrical and Computer Engineering Students |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Rohde, Jacqueline (ORCID |
| Source: | IEEE Transactions on Education. Aug 2019 62(3):165-172. |
| Availability: | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Tel: 732-981-0060; Web site: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=13 |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 8 |
| Publication Date: | 2019 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Design, Engineering Education, Self Concept, Engineering, Computer Science Education, Academic Achievement, Academic Ability, Student Attitudes, Teamwork, Teaching Methods, Identification (Psychology), Student Interests, Peer Relationship, Undergraduate Students, Physics, Mathematics Skills, Personality Traits, Career Choice, Majors (Students), Educational Experience, Grades (Scholastic), Correlation, Student Characteristics |
| DOI: | 10.1109/TE.2019.2913356 |
| ISSN: | 0018-9359 |
| Abstract: | Contribution: This paper found that design experiences can foster engineering identity and belongingness for early career electrical and computer engineering students. Students had different interpretations of what it meant to be an engineer (identity) and their belongingness in engineering. This paper provides novel insights into how students may be developing identities and belongingness in engineering, both critical for student retention and success. Background: Design experiences are crucial for engineering students, both for developing academic competencies and allowing students to see how they can become engineers. Existing literature has mixed results with respect to the influence of team-based design experiences on engineering identity and belongingness. Research Questions: 1) How do design experiences influence early career electrical and computer engineering students' identification and belongingness in engineering? and 2) How do these students describe what it means to identify as an engineer and belong in engineering? Methodology: The beliefs of electrical and computer engineering students were examined using mixed methods to understand the intersection of design experiences, engineering identity, and belongingness. Findings: Students interpreted their engineering identity and belongingness differently, particularly, with respect to how design experiences can shape these attitudes. Whereas students interpreted engineering identity through their performance and interest in authentic engineering tasks, they interpreted belongingness as a means of comparing themselves to their peers. The findings have implications for engineering education researchers, and design instructors, to foster ways of being and belonging in engineering. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2019 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1224718 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Contribution: This paper found that design experiences can foster engineering identity and belongingness for early career electrical and computer engineering students. Students had different interpretations of what it meant to be an engineer (identity) and their belongingness in engineering. This paper provides novel insights into how students may be developing identities and belongingness in engineering, both critical for student retention and success. Background: Design experiences are crucial for engineering students, both for developing academic competencies and allowing students to see how they can become engineers. Existing literature has mixed results with respect to the influence of team-based design experiences on engineering identity and belongingness. Research Questions: 1) How do design experiences influence early career electrical and computer engineering students' identification and belongingness in engineering? and 2) How do these students describe what it means to identify as an engineer and belong in engineering? Methodology: The beliefs of electrical and computer engineering students were examined using mixed methods to understand the intersection of design experiences, engineering identity, and belongingness. Findings: Students interpreted their engineering identity and belongingness differently, particularly, with respect to how design experiences can shape these attitudes. Whereas students interpreted engineering identity through their performance and interest in authentic engineering tasks, they interpreted belongingness as a means of comparing themselves to their peers. The findings have implications for engineering education researchers, and design instructors, to foster ways of being and belonging in engineering. |
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| ISSN: | 0018-9359 |
| DOI: | 10.1109/TE.2019.2913356 |
