CLEAR Opportunities: Technical Writing and Communication for Engineering Students
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CLEAR Opportunities: Technical Writing and Communication for Engineering Students Aditi Risbud University of Utah, College of Engineering, 72 S. Central Campus Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, U.S.A. ABSTRACT Despite being well versed in scientific and technical concepts, engineering students often struggle with technical writing and communication. The CLEAR (Communication, Leadership, Ethics and Research) program at the University of Utah prepares engineering undergraduates for success in their careers through coursework aimed to improve oral and written communication skills, teamwork and ethical understanding. Along with an evaluation of ongoing CLEAR curricula in engineering laboratory and design classes, we are developing tools to assess student outcomes as defined by ABET criteria. These outcomes will inform how best to implement CLEAR curricula at the University of Utah, and ensure our graduates are better prepared to join the engineering workforce. INTRODUCTION Professionals in engineering and technology spend 40 to 70 percent [1] of their time writing and communicating with others. Whether engineering students choose to excel in academia, industry, government agencies, or elsewhere, writing and communication will play a large role in their day-to-day responsibilities. Writing and communicating well is crucial for scientific progress, and these complementary skills are the main delivery mechanisms for engineers to: (a) read and understand information, (b) share information with others, and (c) store information for future reference. Engineering alumni, potential employers, and engineering faculty note most students have high-level technical and problem-solving skills. However, a 2011 study by Watson and Lyons [2] indicates that learning and working independently, working in teams, written and oral communication, and solving problems are the most important skills for an engineer working in industry. Indeed, the authors suggest these skills set potential employees apart from one another and lead to greater overall career success. METHODS The CLEAR (Communication, Leadership, Ethics and Research) program in the University of Utah College of Engineering prepares engineering undergraduates for success in their careers through improving oral and written communication, teamwork skills and ethical understanding. Originally established in 2003 as a unique collaboration between engineering and humanities faculty, the program paired two humanities graduate students—one from the communication department and another from the university’s writing program—with one engineering faculty member in engineering design and laboratory courses at the undergraduate level [3]. This program was implemented differently in six departments within the College, but
all departments used CLEAR to evaluate and archive written works and oral presentations for accreditation purposes. This has led to several issues. First, a lack of consistency in application and audience within the College’s departments has led to confusion from students and f
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