Teaching Freshman Engineering Design At A Two Year College

This paper presents preliminary conclusions about teaching engineering design to freshman engineering and technology students at a two-year college. Many educators realize the need for freshman students to learn some basic skills in order to succeed later in various engineering and technology disciplines. These skills include computer applications software, oral and written communications, technical report writing, and data analysis. A number of institutions are also teaching the fundamentals of engineering design to freshmen. By working in teams to design practical products, students not only immediately apply the basic skills that they have just learned, but also are involved in the activities of the engineering design process, technical drawing and computer-aided design, team work, report writing, and presentation. This also allows students to become involved in engineering content at an early stage and helps them develop interests in engineering and technology disciplines. Therefore, they will have a better chance to successfully complete their programs. This paper also discusses some other related issues such as curriculum development, course content, teaching strategies, and appropriate means of assessment.