TY - GEN
T1 - Optimizing educational approaches for University Photovoltaics education
AU - Nelson, Katherine G.
AU - Husman, Jenefer
AU - Brem, Sarah K.
AU - Honsberg, Christiana
AU - Bowden, Stuart
PY - 2011/12/1
Y1 - 2011/12/1
N2 - The demands for increasing matriculation and retention in engineering are exceedingly high. To discover future innovations, the Nation needs many more engineers than it produces. This paper reviews the literature regarding some of the most significant barriers to student recruitment and retention in the physical sciences and engineering, especially with regard to underrepresented groups. Many students traditionally find it hard to be successful in engineering, not because they are not as successful in the key competencies (e.g. mathematics), but because they have not been provided with experiences that will provide the motivation required to complete the degree. The focus of this paper is the need to support students' utility value perceptions, Engineering is typically a rigorous and difficult curriculum for all students, not just those at risk. Therefore, educational tools and interventions are needed that aid in overcoming these challenges and enhance learning of material. We argue that an ideal case for supporting student learning and motivation would be to emphasize Photovoltaics (PV) in physical science and engineering curricula. Specifically, we argue that (a) students' perceived value of learning PV is high given the current climate for the need to develop renewable energy technologies, and (b) PV educators and educational researchers need to work together to optimize the motivational opportunities.
AB - The demands for increasing matriculation and retention in engineering are exceedingly high. To discover future innovations, the Nation needs many more engineers than it produces. This paper reviews the literature regarding some of the most significant barriers to student recruitment and retention in the physical sciences and engineering, especially with regard to underrepresented groups. Many students traditionally find it hard to be successful in engineering, not because they are not as successful in the key competencies (e.g. mathematics), but because they have not been provided with experiences that will provide the motivation required to complete the degree. The focus of this paper is the need to support students' utility value perceptions, Engineering is typically a rigorous and difficult curriculum for all students, not just those at risk. Therefore, educational tools and interventions are needed that aid in overcoming these challenges and enhance learning of material. We argue that an ideal case for supporting student learning and motivation would be to emphasize Photovoltaics (PV) in physical science and engineering curricula. Specifically, we argue that (a) students' perceived value of learning PV is high given the current climate for the need to develop renewable energy technologies, and (b) PV educators and educational researchers need to work together to optimize the motivational opportunities.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861038842&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84861038842&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186175
DO - 10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186175
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84861038842
SN - 9781424499656
T3 - Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
SP - 1211
EP - 1216
BT - Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
T2 - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
Y2 - 19 June 2011 through 24 June 2011
ER -