2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Research on the Continuous Quality Improvement Mechanisms of Engineering Education Within American Colleges and Universities

Presented at Motivation and Engagement in Engineering Students

Abstract: Engineering education of American colleges and universities explores the theory and practice of continuous quality improvement of program education, which can provide a reference for the quality assurance in program education in other countries. This research finds that, under the guidance of program accreditation agencies, the philosophy of continuous quality improvement has been internalized by American colleges and universities as the core concept of the quality assurance of program education; the process of continuous quality improvement is gradually optimized, covering the definition of educational objectives of engineering program, the definition of expected educational outcome of engineering program, the confirmation of evidence that can prove educational outcome, et.; the continuous quality improvement is confronted by technical dilemma which have caused pressures and challenges for engineering faculty to develop new methods; the concept of continuous quality improvement guides and forms positive assessment, evidence and quality cultures.
Key words: the United States; quality engineering education; continuous improvement; mechanism

Authors

Dr. Hang Zhang Jining Normal University,China [biography]

Hang Zhang is working as a lecturer in Jining Normal University,China. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from Tianjin Foreign Studies University in 2002, and Master’s degree in Higher Education from Guangxi Normal University in 2009, and PH.D in Educational Economics and Management in Beihang University in 2021. She studied as a visiting scholar in School of Education, Indiana University Bloomington,USA. Hang Zhang's academic interests include global comparative education, engineering education ,higher education administration and entrepreneurship education. She possesses rich teaching and training experiences in higher education.
Hao He [biography]

Hao He is a master's student in the Graduate School of Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University. He received his Bachelor of Engineering degree from Taiyuan University of Technology. Currently, his research interests focus on engineering education in higher education.
Dr. Ming Li Beijing Foreign Studies University [biography]

Ming Li is an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China. He received B.A. in Qingdao Agricultural University, M.Ed. in Shandong Normal University, and Ph.D. in Beihang University. From March 2013 to June 2013, he studied in School of Engineering Education at Purdue University as a visiting scholar. After obtaining the PhD title, he worked as a postdoctor at the Institute of Education, Tsinghua University. He is interested in higher education administration as well as engineering education. Now his research interest focuses on the quality assurance in higher education, especially quality assurance in engineering education.

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