Online Engineering Education: Learning Anywhere, Anytime

Abstract

The emergence of worldwide communications networks and powerful computer technologies has redefined the concept of distance learning and the delivery of engineering education content. This article discusses the Sloan Consortium’s quest for quality, scale, and breadth in online learning, the impact on both continuing education of graduate engineers as well as degree-seeking engineering students, and the future of engineering colleges and schools as worldwide providers of engineering education.

Comparison of Academic Performance of Students in Online Vs Traditional Engineering Course

“…Engineering education requires special attention when offered in an online medium when compared to other fields of education. Engineers need a science and mathematics base, which are challenging to teach through an online medium because of the laboratory experience and equation manipulation (Bourne et al, 2005). The study (Bourne et al, 2005) was done in 2005 and makes a strong argument for the use of online instructional technologies to teach engineering courses with the improvements in technology.…”

“…Engineers need a science and mathematics base, which are challenging to teach through an online medium because of the laboratory experience and equation manipulation (Bourne et al, 2005). The study (Bourne et al, 2005) was done in 2005 and makes a strong argument for the use of online instructional technologies to teach engineering courses with the improvements in technology. The study anticipated that if online engineering courses were to become popular, blended classes would become prevalent.…”

“…It also predicted that the quality of online course would improve through interactive teaching mediums, constructivist methodologies, standardization and institute collaborations. The article (Bourne et al, 2005). encourages engineering colleges to explore new methodologies possible within the online medium best applicable to engineering education.…”

Online and Design-Based Learning in Sophomore Engineering Mechanics

“…Since the turn of the century, engineering education has followed two very significant trends. The first is the rise of online learning (Bourne et al, 2005), especially at the master's level (Whiteman, 2012), and to a lesser extent, at the engineering-technology level (ABET, 2018). Numerous educators now offer individual engineering courses online, and some North American universities are now offering engineering bachelor's degree programs either via distance education or online (examples include, Krute et al, 2012;Phillips and Saraniti, 2016;Scott et al, 2012;Tang et al, 2015).…”

Changes in Labview Programs Posted to an Online Forum as Users Gain Experience

“…Although the engineering professions recognizes the need for lifelong learning, and some states even mandate continuing education for some disciplines [2,3,4], work-life constraints present a need to integrate ongoing learning with career and other life pursuits [5]. While some practicing engineers have the time and opportunity to enrol in traditional full-time university programs, others instead continue their education part-time and/or off-campus, often through e-learning [6,7]. These learning opportunities extend to the training of engineers in software programming, for example in how to use the LabVIEW programming environment that is popular in engineering and science.…”