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Vertical Integration of Teamwork Skills from Sophomore to Senior and Beyond!

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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

Mechanical Engineering Division (MECH) Technical Session 5: Preparing the Future Workforce

Tagged Division

Mechanical Engineering Division (MECH)

Page Count

9

DOI

10.18260/1-2--44599

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/44599

Download Count

138

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Paper Authors

biography

Mohammad Waqar Mohiuddin Texas A&M University

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Possesses a multidisciplinary background in Mechanical Engineering (B.S. and M.S.) and Cardiovascular Physiology (Ph.D.). Currently working as an Instructional Assistant Professor in the J Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. Areas of expertise and interest include biomedical and mechanical system design, electromechanical systems, computer-aided engineering analysis, and mathematical modeling of physiological systems. Before joining Texas A&M, worked in industry settings to develop various biomedical technologies, ranging from acute neonatal care to long-term space exploration.

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biography

Joanna Tsenn Texas A&M University

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Joanna Tsenn is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. She earned her B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin and her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. She coordinates the mechanical engineering senior capstone design projects and teaches senior design lectures and studios. Her research interests include engineering education and engineering design methodology.

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Shadi Balawi Texas A&M University

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Dr. Balawi is an Instructional Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at Texas A&M. He teaches in the areas of materials, manufacturing, and design. His interests are in the areas of Engineering Design for Disciplinary STEM Educational Research, Team Formation and Team Skill Education.

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Carlos R. Corleto Texas A&M University

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BS, MS, PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Experience includes 20 years in industry as a lab director, technical manager and engineering advisor, 8 years of academic experience at the assistant and tenured associate professor level, and two years as a Professor of Practice. Author and contributing author of 10 patents and multiple publications/presentations at technical and engineering education conferences. Areas of expertise and research interest include, Deformation & Failure Mechanisms, Materials Science, Fracture Mechanics, Process-Structure-Property Relationships, Finite Element Stress Analysis Modeling, Failure Analysis, ASME BPV Code Sec VIII Div. 1 &2, API 579/ASME FFS-1 Code, Materials Testing and Engineering Education. Professionally registered engineer in the State of Texas (PE).

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Jonathan Weaver-Rosen Texas A&M University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-1087-5452

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Abstract

Teamwork skills are essential to success in professional settings. Keeping this in mind, engineering courses offer projects that require students to participate in teams. Although many students have prior experience in teamwork that may be under a different context, most do not receive sufficient formal guidance on effective team building. We observed that some student teams become dysfunctional due to inconsistent team expectations, ineffective communication, and an inability to manage conflicts. Recent student surveys also pointed out an unmet need to empower them with these teamwork skills. We believe that students will best learn these teamwork skills in the context of their own team projects. Our proposed approach here will enable students to build students interpretation of teamwork by learning in classroom lectures/activities and working with others. Throughout this process, students should learn to be resilient team members capable of understanding their unique and shared roles in a team. To implement the proposed approach, we are developing three learning modules covering three essential teamwork aspects: team formation, effective communication, and conflict management. We plan to teach one module per year in sophomore, junior, and senior year courses that require team projects. We will introduce the modules before the students start their team projects so that they can immediately apply what they learn. With each year focusing on a different aspect of teaming, students can continue developing and improving their skills throughout their undergraduate coursework. We introduced the first module in the Spring of 2022. Currently, we are developing the second module and will implement it in Spring 2023. During their sophomore year, we introduced students to team formation, stages of team dynamics, characteristics of successful teams, and the development of team charters. The following year, they will study how teams are composed of individuals with different experiences, perspectives, and working styles. With this knowledge, students will learn to communicate and collaborate effectively as a team. During the final year, we will familiarize them with the nature of conflicts and their management methods. We will conduct each module in a workshop format with roleplay activities, in-class topic discussions, and relevant assignments. Students will then apply their knowledge to build and run effective teams and reinforce good practices during their course projects. After teaching the modules, we will administer mid- and post-project surveys to capture the outcomes and student feedback. We will then compare the survey data to a baseline group who did not receive training to provide insight into students’ improved teamwork abilities. Developing this critical professional skill set will help prepare students for leadership positions and successful careers after their graduation.

Acknowledgment: This work is supported by National Science Foundation Grant EEC-2022275.

Mohiuddin, M. W., & Tsenn, J., & Balawi, S., & Corleto, C. R., & Weaver-Rosen, J. (2023, June), Vertical Integration of Teamwork Skills from Sophomore to Senior and Beyond! Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--44599

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