4. Description of the project

Transcription

1 University of North Texas Learning Enhancement Grant Application 1. Project Title Development of Engineering Ethics as a web-based course and the conversion of Professional Presentations to a web-based course to better meet the needs of the College of Engineering Michael R. Kozak, Associate Professor, Engineering Technology 2. Project coordinator 3. Project abstract This project addresses the development of a new course (Engineering Ethics) as a web-based course and converting an existing course (GNET 2060 Professional Presentations) into the WebCTVista environment. GNET 2060 is a core curriculum course that is required of every engineering and technology major and, once developed, Engineering Ethics will also be required of every engineering and technology major. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology is converting to a procedure based on a variety of assessment tools that support continuous quality improvement. The engineering technology faculty approved engineering ethics as one of the program educational objectives. A result of a pilot study indicated that engineering ethics was not being sufficiently covered in any of the four concentrations. Engineering Ethics will be added to all concentrations to improve the curriculum. Faculty from all departments within the College of Engineering agree on the importance of this subject and a college-wide committee has been formed to develop course material and to add Engineering Ethics to the College of Engineering core curriculum. The ability to affectively communicate has been a goal of most engineering and technology programs. GNET 2060 was initiated to address this weakness on the recommendation of various Industrial Advisory Boards within the Engineering Technology Department. Although not currently a WebCT course, all Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents are available to students via a web site. The nature of this course indicates content that is rich in graphics. Funds are requested for developing and utilizing an interactive platform via WebCTVista to facilitate various online instructional activities for both courses. Funding of this project will support the College of Engineering's initiative of distributed learning with the two proposed courses being a positive addition. 4. Description of the project In conclusion, this project's significance lies with the following: a) teaching with technology is a College of Engineering priority; b) a high demand will exist for both courses as part of the College of Engineering core curriculum; and c) electronic delivery should increase the scope of the enrollment beyond the current UNT clientele and be consistent with the University's mission to better serve a broader constituency. Distributed learning is increasing as a component of US higher education. UNT is embracing this trend as a leading academic institution in the north Texas region. The College of Engineering includes the development of web-based courses as a high priority goal and has supported a video-conference classroom for several years. This proposal represents the College's ongoing efforts in addressing the critical need for integrating WebCTVista technologies in engineering and technology education. 1

2 Driving distance, traffic congestion and work schedules, along with other constraints, have made commuting to Denton more than just an inconvenience and have prevented working professionals and full-time students from coming to UNT. This challenge to UNT administration and faculty is recognized and web-based instruction is a viable long-term solution. This proposal addresses both priorities : (1) Interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary instruction and (2) The use of technology to improve and extend the learning experience. The two undergraduate courses will be required by every major in the Computer Science and Engineering Department, the Electrical Engineering Department, the Engineering Technology Department, and the Materials Science and Engineering Department. The Professional Presentations course is also an elective in the University Core Curriculum. The two courses may initially begin with one or possibly 2 meetings on campus, but the intention is to make both courses 100% WebCt. The major thrust of this project is two-fold. The initial goal is the development of a new course in engineering ethics whose content is aimed specifically for WebCTVista. Secondly, distance learning delivery will be established for both Engineering Ethics and GNET 2060 Professional Presentations, an existing course that is required for the College of Engineering core curriculum and is also one of the courses listed in the University's core curriculum. A qualified graduate student assistant will be employed by the College of Engineering to assist with the development of the Engineering Ethics course, and the conversion of both courses to WebCTVista. This individual will be employed from fall 2004 through fall There is ample motivation for initiating the electronic delivery of Engineering Ethics and GNET 2060 Professional Presentations. The College of Engineering is committed to distance learning and has supported development activities related to these two courses. This proposal presents a sufficient plan and funding of this project will contribute to UNT's CDL offering and address the University's mission of better serving its stakeholders. Engineering Ethics is a new course based on program assessment and continuous quality improvement. The course content will be developed for total web-based delivery through WebCTVista. GNET 2060 is currently delivered on campus. Although two textbooks are required for the course, the internet is an integral aspect for the completion of student assignments. The WebCTVista environment will feature mandatory chat rooms and/or discussion groups that will permit students to complete work-team assignments and prepare for individual presentations. Students who are normally passive during classroom discussions will participate in online chat rooms and discussion groups. The demand for GNET 2060 has been increasing. The course is taught each semester plus during the summer term. The class has been relocated to the Gateway Center because of access to a classroom with 40 computers. The fall 2004 offering was closed several weeks prior to the beginning of the semester. 2

3 Lectures will be delivered in a text-based format with graphics that illustrate conceptual, quantitative and qualitative models. Students will be encouraged to utilize discussion groups and/or chat rooms to post and discuss approaches to problems and assignments prior to a designated date. Class assignments will be submitted via WebCTVista. Teams and groups will be woven into the fabric of the course and assignments made relative to course content. The midterm examination and final examination will be given using the WebCTVista quiz tool. A bank of questions will be provided of which a set number will be randomly generated for each student who will have a time limit to complete each of the exams. GNET 2060 will initially require two campus meetings during the term with both eventually eliminated. Class meetings, if any, for Engineering Ethics are yet to be determined. To facilitate the process, this proposal requests assistance from the Center for Distributed Learning in the creation of graphics, a template design, and course videos. This assistance includes funding of a web-developer to construct course materials and build the course within WebCTVista, half-time summer salary for the Project Coordinator and quarter-time summer salary for two additional faculty - one representing Electrical Engineering and one Computer Science and Engineering. 5. Coordinator s experience with teaching online 6. Additional faculty or staff members on project 7. Department funding commitments The Coordinator teaches a WebCT course but will be enrolled along with other members of the committee in appropriate CDL training. This will be completed ASAP after the start of the fall 2004 semester. Michael R. Kozak, of the Engineering Technology faculty, has developed and taught GNET 1030 Technological Systems as a WebCT course since January GNET 1030 meets twice on campus; the rest of the class is delivered via WebCT. It is the goal of this project to develop, with CDL assistance, the same level of quality materials. CDL will be a major source of information and support for the successful development and implementation of this project. A faculty member involved with this project will be selected as the initial and primary instructor for the first online instruction of Engineering Ethics during the spring 2006 semester, while the project coordinator will continue to teach GNET 2060, but as a WebCTVista course, during the spring 2006 semester. Dr. Robert Brazile, Computer Science and Engineering Dr. Murali Varanasi, Electrical Engineering Jane Himmel, Specialized web development assistant James Meadows, Graduate assistant CDL staff All modules and related instructional courseware will need to be developed for Engineering Ethics. Assistance from CDL will be required for the development of web-based materials for Engineering Ethics and GNET 2060 Professional Presentations. Class release time for Drs. Brazile, Kozak and Varanasi during the fall 2004, spring 2005 and fall 2005 semesters. In addition to faculty release time, the College of Engineering will provide administrative, clerical, instructional and other necessary support to facilitate the development of these two online courses. 3

4 8. Number of students projected in class/program 9. Market surveys or analysis conducted The College of Engineering will fund a graduate assistant for the fall 2004, spring 2005, summer 2005 and fall 2005 terms. Class No. of students projected Engineering Ethics 225 per year GNET 2060 Professional Presentations 275 per year Engineering Ethics will become a College of Engineering core curriculum requirement. Therefore, every Engineering and Technology major will be required to complete this course. The number of students impacted by these courses will increase over time. In addition to being a University core curriculum course, GNET 2060 is a College of Engineering core curriculum requirement. The College of Engineering had 900+ undergraduate students during the spring 2004 semester. Assume 25% register each year. If each course is offered every semester plus summer, approximately 75 will register for each course every time. This does not include any increase in enrollment nor non-majors who enroll as part of the University core curriculum. For example, non-majors comprise 19% of the fall 2004 enrollment in GNET These two courses are part of the College of Engineering core requirement. Therefore, the market is definitely statewide and probably beyond. UNT has adopted WebCTVista as its internet-based course development platform. Therefore, tools such as , testing, bulletin boards and interactive forums will become an integral aspect of these two courses. 10. Marketing plan The College of Engineering and its departments will vigorously market its distributed learning courses. This process includes advertisement on the College and departmental web sites, standard CDL recruitment, classroom announcements, personal contacts, flyers on campus, and conferences' promotional activities, to name a few. It will be highlighted in departmental newsletters which are normally mailed to alumni and friends in Texas and beyond. 11. Evaluation plan for the course(s) or program 12. Timetable for course development The Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology has initiated a continuous quality improvement (CQI) process based on a variety of assessment methods. This process begins with the fall 2004 semester. Therefore, ongoing data will be collected to determine effectiveness of each course and if changes can be justified for course improvement. Students will complete a standard end-of-course evaluation. In addition, program exit surveys will be an integral part of the instituted CQI process. Activity or accomplishment: Date: Engineering Ethics is a new course and development of which all materials will be original and time intensive. GNET 2060 Professional Presentations is an existing course with emphasis placed on transference of current materials to the web-based environment. CDL Training for members of Ethics Committee 4 October 2004 CDL refresher for Coordinator October 2004 Collection of electronic and December 2004 hard copy information including possible texts Engineering Ethics Course Development April 2005

5 13. Budget 14. Intellectual Property Agreement (For online courses) 15. Planning Activities 16. Center for Distributed Learning Certification 17. Approval (signatures) Engineering Ethics Course April 2005 Approval WebCTVista development of December 2005 Engineering Ethics & GNET 2060 Professional Presentations Courses offered for first time Spring Semester 2006 Item or expense Cost: College of Engineering is providing salary for a graduate assistant during fall 2004, spring 2005, summer 2005, and fall Dr. Michael R. Kozak, Dr. Murali Varanasi and Dr. Robert Brazile will be provided release time by their respective departments for fall 2004, spring 2005, fall This contribution to the project totals $ Equipment or software (list) Wages (show number of hours and hourly rate) Summer faculty release time salary Instructional Designer (as $1, needed from the Center for Distributed Learning) for 150 hours at $13.00/hr = $1, Dr. Michael R. Kozak (50% $28, time, summer 2005 = $11,041.50) Dr. Murali Varanasi (25% time, summer 2005 = $11,011.76) Dr. Robert Brazile (25% time, summer 2005 = $5,994.50) Total LEG Funds Requested $29, Course Faculty Member Date Signed Engineering Ethics Dr. Murali Varanasi Dr. Robert Brazile GNET 2060 Professional Presentations Dr. Michael R. Kozak Date that project participants Participant: Date Received received or will receive CDL s certificate for web-based Dr. Michael R. Kozak 2003, Fall courseware (For Technology Dr. Murali Varanasi 2005, Spring Priority): Dr. Robert Brazile 2005, Spring Project design is feasible Wages are appropriate and equitable Course or program approval process has been followed Course fees for distributed learning courses, if necessary, have been requested Department Chair: Engineering Technology (Dr. Albert B. Grubbs, Jr.): 5

6 Department Chair: Electrical Engineering (Dr. Murali Varanasi) Department Chair: Computer Science and Engineering (Dr. Krishna Kavi) Dean: College of Engineering (Dr. Oscar Garcia) 6