The profession in which knowledge of technology, applied science, and mathematics is devoted to the application of engineering solutions for the benefit of humanity. According to the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET), “Engineering technology education focuses primarily on the applied aspects of science and engineering aimed at preparing graduates for practice in that portion of the technological spectrum closest to product improvement, manufacturing, construction, and engineering operational functions.”
Published in Chapter:
Polk State College's Engineering Technology Program: An Innovative Solution to Industry Demands and Student Success
Naomi Rose Boyer (Independent Researcher, USA), Mori Toosi (Polk State College, USA), Eric A. Roe (University of Texas at Austin, USA), Kathy Bucklew (Polk State College, USA), and Orathai Northern (Polk State College, USA)
Copyright: © 2021
|Pages: 45
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-1928-8.ch011
Abstract
This case study describes an open entry early exit (O3E) rolling enrollment program focused on untangling the web of systems, assumptions, roles, relationships, and interagency processes to address the national emphasis on affordable, compressed, and flexible degree attainment, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent gap areas. To this end, Polk State College has empowered students with an affordable, accessible option that was initiated as a result of a National Science Foundation-Advanced Technological Education (NSF-ATE) project award. The project was designed to transition a traditional engineering technology associate in science degree program to a hybrid competency-based (CBE), modular, non-term, self-paced, learner-centered, faculty-mentored format. As a work in progress, having shifted to CBE in Fall 2014, the O3E program team has undertaken and resolved numerous challenges, many of which are still emergent, and identified significant breakthroughs to provide a catalyst to the reconceptualization of higher education.