2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

WIP: The First-Year Engineer’s Learning Journey

Presented at First-Year Programs Division WIPS 2: Students and Peer Mentors

In this Work-in-Progress paper, our goal is to share the tools, approaches, and analysis methods and how that might inform our understanding of the student’s journey through their first engineering course. To gain insight into students’ learning and emotions, we introduced a reflection assignment in the first-semester engineering course during Fall 2021. This reflection had students map their learning and emotions during the course. We adapted the quantitative approach of the Emotion Learning Model (ELM) and the qualitative approach of the Mental Model Matrix (MMM) to analyze these learning journey maps. From this analysis, we were able to identify the negative and positive effects and negative and positive learning that occurred in one of the units in our first semester engineering class.

Authors

Dr. Sarah Tan Michigan Technological University [biography]

Sarah Tan is a Research Assistant Professor in the Pavlis Honors College at Michigan Technological University. She received a MBA degree and a Ph.D. degree in Applied Cognitive Sciences and Human factors Program both from Michigan Tech. Her research progr
Dr. Amber Kemppainen Michigan Technological University [biography]

Dr. Kemppainen is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Engineering Fundamentals. Her research interests include the improvement of STEM education and online/blended learning methods.
Ms. Mary Raber Michigan Technological University [biography]

Mary Raber currently serves as Chair for the Engineering Fundamentals Department in the College of Engineering at Michigan Technological University.
Dr. A.J. Hamlin Michigan Technological University [biography]

AJ Hamlin is a Principle Lecturer in the Department of Engineering Fundamentals at Michigan Technological University, where she teaches first-year engineering courses. Her research interests include engineering ethics, spatial visualization, and educatio
Dr. Matt Barron Michigan Technological University [biography]

Dr. Barron's teaching interests include solid mechanics, engineering fundamentals, and transitional mathematics. His research interests include educational methods, non-cognitive factors, and bone tissue engineering. Prior to MTU, Dr. Barron worked for Bay de Noc Community College for eleven years and he also has several years of experience working for Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Research and Development.

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