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Using Teamwork and Communication Skills to Monitor and Strengthen the Effectiveness of Undergraduate Aerospace Engineering Design Projects

Charles P. Coleman, PhD Boeing Assistant Professor Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jennifer L. Craig, M.S., M.A. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics/Program in Writing and the Humanities Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract: Earlier work in a 2nd year undergraduate engineering design course suggests that there is a strong correlation between poor written communication and poor design performance. Moreover, a correlation between poor teamwork and poor design performance has been noted. This paper reviews that work and proposes a model that explicitly teaches teamwork skills and uses written communication to develop team dialog around those skills. This model uses team communication deliverables to identify poorly functioning teams early in the process and suggests strategies to intervene with those teams when identified. Assessment plans for this model are described.

Introduction:

This paper presents work done in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in monitoring the effectiveness of undergraduate student design projects through the use of communication deliverables. We present early work that demonstrates a strong correlation between student teams’ low written communication scores and subsequent poor design performance. Then, we describe an intervention model designed to strengthen communication ability and team performance and thus to influence design performance.

Background: At the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, 2nd year engineering students are introduced to the principles of flight in a rigorous, two-semester course, Unified

Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright ©2004 American Society for Engineering Education

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Coleman, C., & Craig, J. (2004, June), Using Teamwork And Communication Skills To Monitor And Strengthen The Effectiveness Of Undergraduate Aerospace Engineering Design Projects Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--13942