View in EDS

Understanding Lifelong Learning and Skills Development: Lessons Learned from Practicing Civil Engineers

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Understanding Lifelong Learning and Skills Development: Lessons Learned from Practicing Civil Engineers
Language: English
Authors: Froehle, Kamryn, Dickman, Logan, Phillips, Adam R. (ORCID 0000-0003-2486-6039), Murzi, Homero, Paretti, Marie
Source: Journal of Civil Engineering Education. Oct 2022 148(4).
Availability: American Society of Civil Engineers. 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-548-2723; e-mail: ascelibrary@ascs.org; Web site: https://ascelibrary.org/journal/jceecd
Peer Reviewed: Y
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Lifelong Learning, Skill Development, Civil Engineering, Learning Strategies, Communication Skills, Electronic Mail, Job Skills, Independent Study, Mentors, Experiential Learning
DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EI.2643-9115.0000068
ISSN: 2643-9107
2643-9115
Abstract: Civil engineering is rapidly evolving as research discoveries, technological evolution, and changing regulations alter the state of practice. To adapt to the advancement of the field, engineers must have the ability to be lifelong learners. While a number of studies have focused on developing lifelong learning skills among undergraduates, far fewer empirical studies have examined such learning in engineering workplaces. Further, additional context-specific research on the skills and knowledge required for success in civil engineering is needed. This study begins to address these gaps through an exploratory study of current practitioners using 19 semistructured interviews with a purposeful sample of civil engineers in the Pacific Northwest. Subsequent thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes of skill and knowledge groups, namely technical, communication, professional, and business skills and knowledge, plus the methods of learning used to develop those skills. The findings from this study were placed into context within the existing literature. As has been mirrored in studies across several engineering disciplines, this study revealed that communication skills remain critical for professional practice, especially nonformal modes of communication such as email. Discipline and region-specific technical skills, such as seismic design and the use of specialized analysis software, were revealed to be important for both entry-level engineers and engineers in management and senior roles. Other important findings of this study also showcased the need for self-directed learning, learning through mentorship and asking questions, and learning through experience. Finally, several implications of the research findings on civil engineering education were discussed, such as greater emphasis on metacognitive activities that encourage students to reflect on how they learn.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1357865
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1357865
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Understanding Lifelong Learning and Skills Development: Lessons Learned from Practicing Civil Engineers
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Froehle%2C+Kamryn%22">Froehle, Kamryn</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dickman%2C+Logan%22">Dickman, Logan</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Phillips%2C+Adam+R%2E%22">Phillips, Adam R.</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2486-6039">0000-0003-2486-6039</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Murzi%2C+Homero%22">Murzi, Homero</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Paretti%2C+Marie%22">Paretti, Marie</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Civil+Engineering+Education%22"><i>Journal of Civil Engineering Education</i></searchLink>. Oct 2022 148(4).
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: American Society of Civil Engineers. 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-548-2723; e-mail: ascelibrary@ascs.org; Web site: https://ascelibrary.org/journal/jceecd
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2022
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Lifelong+Learning%22">Lifelong Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Civil+Engineering%22">Civil Engineering</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Strategies%22">Learning Strategies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Skills%22">Communication Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electronic+Mail%22">Electronic Mail</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Job+Skills%22">Job Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Independent+Study%22">Independent Study</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mentors%22">Mentors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Experiential+Learning%22">Experiential Learning</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1061/(ASCE)EI.2643-9115.0000068
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2643-9107<br />2643-9115
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Civil engineering is rapidly evolving as research discoveries, technological evolution, and changing regulations alter the state of practice. To adapt to the advancement of the field, engineers must have the ability to be lifelong learners. While a number of studies have focused on developing lifelong learning skills among undergraduates, far fewer empirical studies have examined such learning in engineering workplaces. Further, additional context-specific research on the skills and knowledge required for success in civil engineering is needed. This study begins to address these gaps through an exploratory study of current practitioners using 19 semistructured interviews with a purposeful sample of civil engineers in the Pacific Northwest. Subsequent thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes of skill and knowledge groups, namely technical, communication, professional, and business skills and knowledge, plus the methods of learning used to develop those skills. The findings from this study were placed into context within the existing literature. As has been mirrored in studies across several engineering disciplines, this study revealed that communication skills remain critical for professional practice, especially nonformal modes of communication such as email. Discipline and region-specific technical skills, such as seismic design and the use of specialized analysis software, were revealed to be important for both entry-level engineers and engineers in management and senior roles. Other important findings of this study also showcased the need for self-directed learning, learning through mentorship and asking questions, and learning through experience. Finally, several implications of the research findings on civil engineering education were discussed, such as greater emphasis on metacognitive activities that encourage students to reflect on how they learn.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2022
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1357865
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1357865
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1061/(ASCE)EI.2643-9115.0000068
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Lifelong Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Civil Engineering
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learning Strategies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electronic Mail
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Job Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Independent Study
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mentors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Experiential Learning
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Understanding Lifelong Learning and Skills Development: Lessons Learned from Practicing Civil Engineers
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Froehle, Kamryn
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Dickman, Logan
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Phillips, Adam R.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Murzi, Homero
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Paretti, Marie
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 10
              Type: published
              Y: 2022
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 2643-9107
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2643-9115
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 148
            – Type: issue
              Value: 4
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of Civil Engineering Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1