Dr. Prem S. Chopra Engineering Management,

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, USA

To get information about Dr. Chopra please visit http://www.utc.edu/Faculty/Prem-Chopra/office.htm

Plenary

Micro eCourses: An Innovative Approach to Supplement Engineering Curricula

ABSTRACT: Dr. Chopra will present a novel way to meet needs of students and faculty that are not being addressed by most Engineering Programs. This Internet-based approach offers new opportunities for universities to expand their outreach. The concept of Micro eCourses, originally funded by an Excellence in Engineering Award, has been developed and implemented successfully at the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The approach was conceived as a way to offer topics and materials that could not readily be accommodated within formal curricula due to credit hour and other constraints. Micro eCourses can be used to supplement student knowledge and preparedness in any area of need in the institution. For example, while preparing for accreditation, the College identified deficiencies in the areas of Ethics and Global Issues. Using the concept of Micro eCourses, modules were developed and implemented to satisfy recommendations made by College curriculum committees. All registered students, faculty and staff are enrolled in the eCourses, which they may access from anywhere, anytime. Individual faculty members may assign readings and electronic discussion board questions to classes in which they wish to cover material incorporated in modules within specific eCourses.

An on-line personal assessment tool provides another example of the wide potential of this learning concept. Undergraduate and graduate students and others outside the university community use the Internet-based BrookMaster game for personal and professional development. An on-line demonstration of the Micro eCourse on Engineering Ethics and the BrookMaster personal development game will be presented.