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Retention 101: Where Robots Go … Students Follow

Carlos Pomalaza-Ráez, Brenda Henry Groff Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne 2101 East Coliseum Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46805 raez@ipfw.edu, groff@ipfw.edu

Abstract

At Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) we have developed ETCS 101 - Introduction to Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science, a freshman success course for students in the School of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science (ETCS). The main objective of this course is to help students find a successful career path early in their studies, i.e. increase retention. The course aims to provide students with sufficient computer and personal development skills and to help them develop the right mental attitude conducive for academic success. Features of the course include projects of software and hardware nature, extensive use of the Internet and Web software tools, and a team-teaching format. As the main project of this course, small teams of students design, build, program, and test an autonomous mobile robot using LEGO® parts, sensors, and the Robotic Command eXplorer (RCX) controller. This is a multidisciplinary, project-driven learning process that encourages students to develop problem solving and teamwork skills and fosters their creativity and logic. Robotic projects are multidisciplinary in the sense that they involve a wide range of disciplines; including computer science, physics, math, biology, psychology, engineering, and art.

Introduction

Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) is located in the second largest city in Indiana and it is the sixth largest public university in the state. Total enrollment is approximately 10,000 students. IPFW is a commuter university (there is no on-campus student housing) and many of the students attend classes on a part-time basis. The average student age is 27 years. The School of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science (ETCS) enrolls approximately 1400 students and is comprised of five departments: Civil & Architectural Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing Technology. Certificate, associate, bachelor, and master degree programs are offered and awarded by Purdue University. ETCS students are a mix of traditional and non-traditional age students. Many of the students who apply for the first time to any of the departments of the School of ETCS are adults who have been out of school for several years. These non-traditional students usually hold part-time or full-time jobs in local industry and are highly motivated in earning a degree in a technical field, but their knowledge about the disciplines of engineering, technology, and computer science is limited. This lack of knowledge about engineering is also common in the traditional

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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Henry Groff, B., & Pomalaza-Raez, C. (2002, June), Retention 101: Where Robots Go, Students Follow Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10361