S tandards Education in Technology Programs Amin Karim, DeVry University Jennifer McClain, IEEE Educational Activities

2 TOPICS Standards – A Broad Definition Economic Value of Standards in the Global Economy Current Status of Standards Education in the Technology Programs A Pilot for Teaching Standards in the EET Program at DeVry Findings from the Pilot IEEE Standards Education Committee Key Interests in Education about Standards Addressing the Challenges Online content and grant opportunities Getting involved

3 Standards – A Broad Definition They are Established Norms or Requirements Available as Formal Documents that Determine Uniform Engineering, Interoperability Criteria, Methods, Processes and Practices Standards are Used to Define Realistic Constraints During the Design and Serving as Benchmarks During Manufacturing and Testing

4 Economic Value of Standards in the Global Economy Economy Driven by Technology and Globalization Private Sector Standards and Government Regulations affect 80% of World Trade (OECD 1999) In 2003, Standards and Regulations affected at least $7 trillion of World Trade (US Congress estimate in 2005) Countries are working together to establish international standards in legal and financial reporting areas

5 Role of Standards - Who Are the Stakeholders? Subjects and Forces that drive the need to understand Standards–The Three Wave Model I.Technology (Information, Electrical, Mechanical, Communication, etc.) – scientists, engineers and technologists II.Business (Digital Revolution, Network Revolution, Management System, WTO) – government employees, corporate executives, managers, and businessman III.Market/Society (services, sustainability concerns) – general public

6 Current status of Standards Education in Technology Programs Aeronautical Engineering Technology (program criteria) - “Technical expertise in…industry standards, regulations and documentation” Drafting/Design Engineering Technology (program criteria) - “Graduates of baccalaureate degree programs…must demonstrate…competency in the application of current codes and standards” Similar statements in criteria for Nuclear and Surveying Engineering Technology No such statements in the criteria for most major programs such as Electrical, Computer etc. yet Many graduates leave college having never seen a standard, not knowing how to tackle one or find one

7 The DeVry/North Brunswick Pilot Partnering with IEEE, the campus decided to begin teaching standards in its EET program. This included a comprehensive introduction, familiarization with key standards organizations such as the IEEE and ISO, and identification and application of relevant standards in solving technical problems. One of the EET Program Outcomes was modified to include “…incorporating multiple realistic constraints and technical standards, and appropriate to Program Educational Objectives” Learning of standards were integrated in existing courses Students acquire basic knowledge of standards in a first semester course. A Web-based mastery exam is used as assessment tool In a mid-program course, students learn to use relevant standards by studying case studies. A written paper justifying the use of a particular standard is used for assessment As the final step, students select and solve a technical problem that incorporates the constraints of standards.

8 Findings from the Pilot Successes: -Students performed well in tests as well as in using standards in their senior projects -One group’s application paper was selected by the IEEE Standards Education Committee and is installed on its Website -Faculty who were not prior user of standards received training so that they could instruct students on standards in their courses Hurdles: -Many faculty do not have experience in applying standards -Campuses may not have access to engineering standards -Unless one has experiened faculty, standards often are not user- friendly

9 IEEE Standards Education Committee Mission: 1.Promote the importance of standards in meeting technical, economic, environmental, and societal challenges. 2.Secure and disseminate learning materials on the application of standards in the design and development aspects of educational programs. 3.Secure and provide short courses about standards needed in the design and development phases of professional practice. 4.Actively promote the integration of standards into academic programs.

10 IEEE’s key interests in Education about Standards At the pre-university level TryEngineering.org Teacher In-Service Program At the university level Development of curricula Accreditation criteria Providing an “entry point” to the world of standards At the post-university level (continuing education) Familiarizing engineers with the standard development process Education about specific standards (e.g., the IEEE 802® family)

11 IEEE’s interests in education about standards… Accrediting bodies need to clarify the degree to which understanding and use of standards are expected in engineering/computing/technology programs In the US the current ABET accreditation criteria are often too vague and hence unenforceable A clear accreditation requirement would translate into sections about standards in textbooks IEEE is developing a policy paper on the role of Standards in academic programs in Engineering, Technology and Computing Will state the desired role of technical standards in the academic curriculum Will be used in model curriculum development and in discussions with accrediting bodies

12 IEEE’s interests in education about standards… Standards are of growing significance to industry Practicing professionals need to understand how to use standards In October 2008 survey of 1,000 IEEE members who were practicing engineers: 75% indicated that technical standards were important or very important in their field 22% indicated that they learned to apply technical standards in university Majority learned from a mentor or were self-taught Further suggests the importance of introducing standards to students and into curricula

13 Addressing the challenges at IEEE Access to IEEE Standards About 450 schools worldwide have full access to IEEE standards through the IEEE Electronic Library (IEEE Xplore®) About 10 schools make use of this feature… Access to IEEE 802® Standards All IEEE 802 Standards are available to the public six months after publication Providing free standards-related educational content online through Standards Education web portal

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15 IEEE free online tutorials IEEE Standards Education Tutorials are designed to help students, educators and practicing engineers better understand technical standards by exploring the role of standards in engineering and technology, and by providing real-world examples of the application of standards. Online learning modules and resources are developed: To benefit both students and their faculty mentors as they face challenging design processes; To help electrical and computer engineering programs incorporate standards in their learning processes; To provide useful tools for learning about standards and their impact on design and development.

16 IEEE free online case studies Case Studies are examples of the application of standards in a real-world context: describe the application of standards to achieve a specific design objective; begin with a posed task, e.g., consider what standards might be applicable to the design of a multi-mode telephone; identify potentially applicable standards; determine design and development constraints imposed by standards; explore proposed solutions.

17 IEEE Mini-Grants for Students IEEE is offering Grants to both students and faculty mentors to help with graduate and capstone design projects with an industry standards component. $500 for students $300 for faculty advisors IEEE will publish the results as a Student Application Paper Standards Education Committee has approved eight mini-grants to date Program will continue at least until the end of 2009 Upcoming deadline for Fall 2009 applications is 15 Oct 2009

18 Get involved… IEEE welcomes participation and partnership in our activities IEEE Standards Education Committee Content providers/partners Invitations for Standards Guest Lecturers At colleges, universities, or companies Workshop and Seminar opportunities Call for New Tutorials and Case Studies: We are actively seeking subject matter experts in various technical areas to create tutorials and case studies demonstrating the application of standards. IEEE honorariums are available.

19 Get involved… Call for Instructional Material: Subject Matter Experts are needed to develop instructional material on key standards for use in the undergraduate engineering, computing, and engineering technology classrooms. Material that can be used by teaching staff and can be integrated into existing topical classes. IEEE honorariums are available.

20 Contact information Amin Karim DeVry University Jennifer McClain Program Manager, IEEE Standards Education Thank You