KoM@ING

Modeling and developing competences - integrated IRT based and qualitative studies with a focus on mathematics and its usage in engineering education

Project description

This project focuses on modeling competence on the one hand and studies of developing competence on the other hand. The relevant developmental conditions are based on mathematics and its usage in central fields of two engineering studies, electrical and mechanical engineering. The usual habit of separating mathematical and engineering courses at universities makes modeling competence a big challenge. We are using two research approaches, a quantitative and IRT based approach as well as a qualitative and process analytical approach. Both approaches are conducted parallel in three sub-projects in order to use their individual strengths and to compensate their individual limits. In terms of an applied basic research, fundaments for competence diagnostics shall be created. Among other things, these diagnostics are meant to serve as a basis for organizing and evaluation teaching innovations which is contemplated at a second promotional stage. Sub-project A and B focus on two stages in the studies of electrical and mechanical engineering with regard to developing engineering competence: Stage I: “Basis stage” (first 2-3 semesters), stage II: “Advanced Bachelor and Master stage” (3rd-10th semester). The competence modeling at stage I will highlight what beginners perceive as new metacognitive, volitional and motivational challenges in their studies on the one hand. On the other hand, connections and tensions between competences developed in mathematical and engineering training shall be examined. Competence modeling at stage II refers to advanced courses such as project or laboratory learning which call for an integrative use of sub-competences in order to solve engineering problems. The contents of sub-project C cover central fields of various engineering studies, particularly mathematics for engineers and its fields of application. IRT based modeling for engineering mathematics, technical mechanics, materials and construction technology is included. The central aim of this sub-project is to model, measure and develop competence in undergraduate studies of mechanical engineering. Civil engineering is also incorporated due to a cross-domain data collection in the subjects of higher mathematics and technical mechanics. Academical as well as non-academical studies are to be considered. The research design is compiled longitudinally in order to generate initial statements on competence development.

Project data and contact information

Homepage of the project: https://www.zhb.tu-dortmund.de/zhb/Wil/de/Forschung/Forschungsgruppe_Ingdid/KoM_ING/index.html
Duration: 01/03/2012 - 30/04/2015
Support code 01 PK 11021
Contact person: Michael Lohmeier ( Lohmeier[at]verwaltung.tu-dortmund.de)
Esther Rahma ( Rahma[at]verwaltung.tu-dortmund.de)
Matthias Heiner (matthias.heiner[at]tu-dortmund.de)
Dr. Stefan Schreiber ( stephan.schreiber[at]leuphana.de)
Jörg Kortemeyer ( kortemey[at]math.uni-paderborn.de)
Dr. Stefan Friedenberg ( p-sylow-gruppe[at]web.de)
Christian Pleul ( christian.pleul[at]iul.tu-dortmund.de)
Elmar Dammann ( dammann[at]bwt.uni-stuttgart.de)
Dr. Christoph Duchhardt ( duchhardt[at]ipn.uni-kiel.de)

Project director

Prof. Dr. Johannes Wildt, TU Dortmund

Cooperation partner

Prof. Dr. Reinhard Hochmuth, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Prof. Dr. Rolf Biehler, Universität Paderborn
Prof. Dr. Bettina Rösken, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Prof. Dr. A. Erman Tekkaya, TU Dortmund
Prof. Dr. Reinhold Nickolaus, Universität Stuttgart
Prof. Dr. Aiso Heinze, IPN - Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel

Staff members

Dr. Christoph Duchhardt, IPN - Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Anne Kielmann, IPN - Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Florina Stefanica, Universität Stuttgart
Elmar Dammann, Universität Stuttgart
Stefan Behrendt, Universität Stuttgart
Christian Pleul, TU-Dortmund
Dr. Stefan Friedenberg, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Prof. Dr. Marcus Petermann, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Jörg Kortemeyer, Universität Paderborn
Prof. Dr. Niclas Schaper, Universität Paderborn
Dr. Stefan Schreiber, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Monika Schwingen, TU Dortmund
Matthias Heiner, TU Dortmund