Educating Engineers: Designing for the Future of the Field

Here is an exerpt from a recently published book that I have been reading.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching: Preparation for the Professions

Sherri D Sheppard
Kelly Macatangay
Anne Colby
William M. Sullivan

Copyright 2009

Conclusion of the Introduction Page xxiv

"Ultimately, however, our goal is more ambitious than prompting reflection or incremental improvement. Our goal is action, for we believe that incremental improvement will lead only to a more optimized linear model of education that will, if not at the moment of its redesign, quickly thereafter become "overstuffed". To accomplish this task, we need to undertake what Vincenti (1990) termed "radical" design and develop a new approach to undergraduate engineering education, the core of which is professional engineering practice, not historical tradition. Both the learning sciences and our sister profession, medicine, offer much to draw from.

The redesign, as one of its requirements, should have continuous revitalization and rejuvenation. Thus, through this book, we extend a challenge to the engineering community: Reflect, assess, debate, design, and prototype a truly networked engineering education, one that engages both student and teacher in learning in context. Engage as colleagues and make redesign of engineering education a national undertaking for the next five years. Redesign engineering education to prepare the new-century engineers that today's problems demand."

Hmmm.... prototype. I have an idea for such a prototype.....