Entrepreneurial Curriculum in an Engineering Technical Communication Course: Looking for Impact on Creativity and Mindset

Document Type

Presentation

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Annual Frontiers in Education Conference

Location

Eire, PA

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Abstract

This work in progress initiated an investigation into an intervention focused on entrepreneurial training that was implemented in the delivery of a “Technical Communication for Engineers” course at a western research university. The course was delivered through multiple separate sections and was taught by two instructors using the same curriculum. The control-group approach utilized an established method to help engineers and computer scientists learn technical communication by writing a technical proposal as a team. The treatment-group approach included providing entrepreneurial training and consulting through lectures and one-on-one consultations provided by student consultants from the university's Entrepreneurship Club. Student consultants were trained in Glauser's NERCM principles for business consulting. The impact measurement of the intervention focuses on the results of students taking the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults (ATTA) creativity assessment and Dweck's growth-vs-fixed Mindset survey. Lagged regression in quasi-experimental statistics will be utilized to compare results from a pre- and post-delivery of the test instruments taken before the entrepreneurial lectures begin and then again at the end of the course. Random selection of students from a convenience sample with an opt-out enrollment process was utilized. Additionally, a task value survey and an entrepreneurial intent survey were given to the students to develop an understanding of their views of this teaching method based upon the perceived value of the course.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS