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Session 2132

“Fabulous Fridays”: Satisfying ABET 2000 Criterion I and J in an Optoelectronics Elective Susan M. Lord University of San Diego

Abstract Upper-division undergraduate elective courses are good candidates for implementing ABET 2000 Criteria 3i and j relating to lifelong learning and contemporary issues in Electrical Engineering curricula. At the University of San Diego, students developed skills related to these criteria in an Optoelectronic Materials and Devices elective. The criteria are directly addressed in two of the course objectives: to aid the students' professional development by addressing issues such as the ability to critically evaluate technical papers, conduct effective literature research, and express information orally and in writing and to identify at least two current topics in optoelectronics research.

Several innovative pedagogical techniques were integrated into the course to address lifelong learning and contemporary issues. Students explored an area more deeply by conducting literature research including a paper and a presentation on a topic of their choice. Topics ranged from organic LEDs to photonic crystals. In Spring 2003, the last fifteen minutes of each Friday class was devoted to “Fabulous Friday” where one student led a discussion of a recent article which he/she had distributed to the class on Monday. Articles came from sources such as Laser Focus World and IEEE Spectrum. This endeavor gave the students an opportunity to develop oral communication skills and the ability to critically evaluate new information from sources other than textbooks and lectures. Topics included curing blindness with LEDs and iris scanning for security. Students provided feedback on this process at the end of the semester which resulted in revised instructions for “Fabulous Friday”. This framework may be adapted to any courses where criteria i and j are addressed. Contemporary issues were also incorporated into homework assignments. For example, students evaluated an issue of Laser Focus World by reviewing the "Back to Basics" article. Investigating the advertisements helped them learn about the diversity of current products and companies in the optoelectronic industry.

Introduction There is general agreement from industry1, students2, and faculty3, on the value of learning skills related to ABET Criteria 3i and j on lifelong learning and contemporary issues. The rationale for this is often described in terms of the rapidly developing pace of current technology, the short time available in a standard engineering curriculum, and the need for engineers to be able to adapt to new responsibilities. However, finding appropriate places for addressing these criteria in an electrical engineering (EE) curriculum can be a challenge. Various approaches have been adopted including developing a general education course for engineers4, a senior engineering

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

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Lord, S. (2005, June), “Fabulous Fridays”: Satisfying Abet 2000 Criterion I And J In An Optoelectronics Elective Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--15227