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Consideration for Scaffolding Open-ended Engineering Problems: Instructor Reflections after Three Years

  • Jessica Swenson
  • , Mary Rola
  • , Aaron Johnson
  • , Emma Treadway
  • , Alice Nitingale
  • , Hoda Koushyar
  • , Jin Woo Lee
  • , Kathryn Wingate
  • SUNY Buffalo
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • Trinity University

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

This full research-to-practice paper is a collaboration between researchers and instructors to examine the scaffolding of open-ended problems. Most assigned homework problems are closed-ended with one correct answer and are unlike the ill-defined problems practicing engineers solve in the workplace. To begin bridging this gap, our research team of engineering education researchers and instructors have been designing and implementing ill-defined, open-ended homework problems for the past three years. This study presents instructor reflections on considerations for scaffolding open-ended problems, made after examining survey data from their own students. We present the results in six practices of scaffolding that better support students in their solving of the problems.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - 2021 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE 2021
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781665438513
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Event2021 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE 2021 - Lincoln, United States
Duration: Oct 13 2021Oct 16 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE
Volume2021-October
ISSN (Print)1539-4565

Conference

Conference2021 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLincoln
Period10/13/2110/16/21

Keywords

  • engineering judgement
  • engineering science)
  • ill-defined problems
  • scaffolding

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