Working World Problems And Communication For The Classroom

Engineering problems in the working world can differ from what students encounter in the classroom. The communication of the results also differs. For some engineering problems, email has become the major method of communication. This paper discusses the differences between the classroom and the working world. The paper also introduces a method to bring working world engineering problems and communication (via e-mail) into the classroom. The goal is to take the students to a higher level of understanding of the material. Another goal is to develop their communication skills. A pilot study measured the quality of the students’ communication skills (i.e., e-mail). In this study, experienced engineers critiqued the students’ e-mails about an engineering problem. This study indicates a relationship between e-mail quality and hiring. Additional research is needed to determine if this method actually improves the students’ e-mail communication skills. This paper demonstrates the need and value of writing technical e-mails clearly. The teaching method presented in this paper will help prepare students for industry and may help develop their skills in communicating technical issues.