Integrating Teaming, Writing, and Speaking in CHE Unit Operations LabIntegrating Teaming, Writing, and Speaking in CHE Unit Operations LabDave Kmiec, Chris M. Anson, Paula Berardinelli, Lisa Bullard,

Deanna P. Dannels, Steven Peretti, James J. Spivey

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Goal: to provide instruction in technical writing, oral presentation, and teaming within the context of a laboratory course

Since appearing in the required ABET competencies in EC 2000, fragments of teaming, writing, and speaking education have been distributed, sometimes haphazardly, across the core courses in engineering departments nationwide or delegated to service departments. Searching for an alternative method of integrating these new competencies, a team of researchers at North Carolina State University has constructed a junior-level discipline-specific teaming, writing, and speaking (TWS) module and consultation series.

The TWS instruction is a discipline-specific module and consultation series designed to complement a junior-level chemical engineering laboratory survey course.

MotivationMotivation

Week Scheduled Events

1 TWS Module 1—Teaming: Making the real team more ideal

2 Lab Experiment 1

3 Consultation 1—Theme: Report organization

4 TWS Module 2—Writing: Collaborative writing and editing (Lab report 1 due)

5 Lab Experiment 2

6 Consultation 2—Theme: Proper citation

7 TWS Module 3—Teaming: Recognizing and reconciling the interpersonal aspects of teaming (Lab report 2 due)

8 Lab Experiment 3

9 Consultation 3—Theme: Graphics and layout

10 TWS Module 4—Speaking: preparing and delivering collaborative presentations (Lab report 3 due)

11 Lab Experiment 4

12 Consultation 4—Theme: Presentation practice

13 (Lab report 4 due and student oral presentations)

Program ComponentsProgram Components

Core CompetenciesCore Competencies

Typical ScheduleTypical ScheduleIn addition to a weekly statistics and experimental design lecture, students have a dedicated 3 hour weekly lab time. The TWS module is conducted on non-lab weeks during this lab time. Consultations are scheduled individually. The table below shows one possible semester schedule.

Modules• Class meets 4 times per semester with consultant• Develop collaborative oral and written technical communication skills• Address preparation of oral & written lab reports• Identify and resolve issues related to writing, speaking, and interpersonal interaction

Consultations• Team meets 4 times per semester with consultant• Discuss reports or presentations in progress• Facilitate application of communication concepts & collaborative techniques taught in the module.

Assignments• Maintain project management charts and notebooks • Recorded meeting and assignment information• Reflections on teaming efficiency

Proficiency Corresponding skills

Collaborative technical writing

• write collaboratively• function as a peer editor

Collaborative technical presentation

• convey technical material orally in a way appropriate to the audience• work collaboratively to design and conduct a technical presentation

Teaming • identify and fulfill team roles• create, use, and revise team ground rules• recognize and manage conflict in teams• recognize and manage decision making in teams• provide frequent and productive feedback to peers regarding teaming, writing, and speaking skills

In addition to a weekly statistics and experimental design lecture, students have a dedicated 3 hour weekly lab time. The TWS module is conducted on non-lab weeks during this lab time. TWS Consultations are scheduled individually. The table below shows one possible semester schedule.

ResultsResultsBy the end of the semester, students randomly selected to participate in the TWS module

series were performing significantly better on writing and speaking tasks than students in a

control group. (TWS students’ teaming performance is still being analyzed.)

WebsiteWebsiteFor instructional materials, implementation suggestions, and performance data, visit the website athttp://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/project/actionagenda/index.html.

AcknowledgementAcknowledgementThis project was funded by NSF Grant #EEC-0080484.

CHE 330 Average Written Lab Report Grades

65

70

75

80

85

90

Report 1 Report 2 Report 3 Report 4

Written Lab Report

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TWS Non-TWS

CHE 330 Average Oral Lab Report Grades

78

80

82

84

86

88

90

Presentation 1 Presentation 2

Oral Lab Report

Ave

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rad

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TWS

Non-TWS