Integrated Design Engineering Assessment And Learning System (Ideals): Piloting Teamwork And Professional Skills Development Instructional Materials

National and global engineering challenges require preparation of engineering graduates with strong technical, personal, and interpersonal abilities. For reasons of resource efficiency and consistent preparation, engineering programs would benefit from well-developed, integrated instructional materials and assessments that effectively motivate and facilitate development of professional skills vital to engineering practice. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the work of a National Science Foundation funded project team that created and pilot tested instructional modules for teamwork, professional development (self-directed learning), and professional responsibility. The modules and associated assessments are known as the Integrated Design Engineering Assessment and Learning System (IDEALS). The modules, available online to authorized instructors, include pre-class assignments, in-class exercises, and post-class assessment assignments. Pilot testing has shown that instructors in diverse settings are able to use full sets or selected modules in a skills area to achieve and assess desired professional skills learning outcomes.