An Inquiry-Based Introduction to Engineering [electronic resource] / by Michelle Blum.

Part I: Being an Effective Student -- Achieving Success in Engineering -- Teaching & Learning Approaches -- Essential Skills for Learning -- Understanding Yourself and Others -- Part II: The Engineering Profession -- The Engineering Profession -- Engineering Problem Solving -- Engineering Design and Experiments -- Engineering Ethics -- Engineering Communication Part III: Engineering Fundamental Parameters -- Dimensions and Units -- Length -- Time -- Mass -- Force -- Temperature -- Electric Current -- Power, Energy and Efficiency -- Engineering Mathematics, Models and Reasoning.

The text introduces engineering to first-year undergraduate students using Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL). It draws on several different inquiry-based instruction types such as confirmation inquiry, structured inquiry, guided inquiry, and open inquiry, and all of their common elements. Professor Blum’s approach emphasizes the student’s role in the learning process, empowering them in the classroom to explore the material, ask questions, and share ideas, instead of the instructor lecturing to passive learners about what they need to know. Beginning with a preface to IBL, the book is organized into three parts, each consisting of four to ten chapters. Each chapter has a dedicated topic where an initial few paragraphs of introductory or fundamental material are provided. This is followed by a series of focused questions that guide the students’ learning about the concept(s) being taught. Featuring multiple inquiry-based strategies, each most appropriate to the topic, An Inquiry-Based Approach to Introduction to Engineering stands as an easy to use textbook that quickly allows students to actively engage with the content during every class period. Moves instructors and students beyond passive, transmission-based learning, using inquiry based learning strategies; Focuses on technical and life skill content as well as how to maximize outcomes using inquiry-based learning; Contextualizes inquiry based learning across engineering disciplines.