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Identifying curriculum factors that facilitate lifelong learning in alumni career trajectories: Stage 2 of a sequential mixed-methods study

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

Engineering Programs and Institutional Factors

Tagged Division

Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM)

Page Count

21

DOI

10.18260/1-2--43872

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/43872

Download Count

112

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Paper Authors

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Nikita Dawe University of Toronto

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PhD student in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto, Collaborative Specialization in Engineering Education.

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Lisa Romkey University of Toronto

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Lisa Romkey serves as Associate Professor, Teaching and Associate Director, ISTEP (Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice) at the University of Toronto.

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Amy Bilton

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Abstract

This research paper presents results from the second stage of a sequential mixed-methods study exploring the impact of undergraduate curriculum on lifelong learning orientations in the context of varying alumni career trajectories. Lifelong learning mindsets and skillsets are essential for graduates of engineering programs as they grapple with an array of sociotechnical challenges and unpredictable career paths.

Previously, we used interview findings, in combination with a literature review, to develop a conceptual framework and alumni survey that address several related constructs: career trajectories, workplace learning orientations and undergraduate learning orientations, curricular and extra-curricular experiences and perceptions, and pre-university characteristics. The survey was designed to address the following descriptive and explanatory research questions within the larger study: RQ1) How can we characterize individuals’ lifelong learning motivations and strategies before university, during university, and in their current workplace context? RQ2) What changes in lifelong learning orientations can we observe between these time-periods? RQ3) What influences do curricular experience factors have on lifelong learning orientations?

We recruited alumni who graduated between 1991 and 2020 from two engineering departments at our institution to participate in the survey and received 279 complete responses. We found significant differences in lifelong learning motivations between the undergraduate and workplace stages (increases in the importance of one’s interest in the context or activities and in achieving success; a decrease in the influence of avoiding failure). We also found correlations between undergraduate and workplace learning approaches in terms of tendencies towards memorizing information, understanding through making connections, or taking more proactive approaches.

Dawe, N., & Romkey, L., & Bilton, A. (2023, June), Identifying curriculum factors that facilitate lifelong learning in alumni career trajectories: Stage 2 of a sequential mixed-methods study Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--43872

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