Lifelong Learning for Engineers and Scientists in the Information Age

Lifelong Learning for Engineers and Scientists in the Information Age

Released December 2011
Publisher(s): Elsevier
ISBN: 9780123852151

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Book description

The book provides a comprehensive review of lifelong learning, information literacy and internships including assessment techniques for lifelong learning, teamwork and information literacy as defined by the ABET criteria. It also discusses critical thinking skills for scientists and engineers and their role in lifelong learning in the information age.

It will be invaluable for:

  • Engineering educators including librarians interested in developing programs to satisfy the ABET criteria for lifelong learning and teamwork.

  • Engineering librarians developing programs and assessment tools for information literacy using online databases and the Internet.

  • Engineering educators and career advisors interested in developing internship programs in engineering. An internship is defined as work performed in an industrial setting that provides practical experience and adds value to the classroom and research learning processes. This book will cover all aspects involved in administering internship and cooperative education programs.

  • Employers of interns will find useful information on needs assessment, program development, evaluation and the importance of lifelong learning; and,

  • Science and engineering educators interested in developing critical thinking skills in their students as an aid to developing lifelong learning skills especially given the challenges in the digital age.


  • Provides information on how to develop programs and assessment tools for information literacy
  • Describes how to set up an internship program
  • Develops critical thinking skills

Table of contents

  1. Cover Image
  2. Table of Contents
  3. Title
  4. Copyright
  5. Acknowledgments
  6. 1. Introduction
  7. 2. Definitions of Lifelong Learning and How They Relate to the Engineering Profession
    1. International Organizations
  8. 3. Accreditation of Engineering Programs and Their Relationship to Lifelong Learning
    1. Accreditation of Engineering Programs in the United States
    2. EC2000
    3. ABET Program Outcomes
    4. ABET Criteria 3i
    5. Mastering the Techniques of Lifelong Learning
    6. Awareness of Lifelong Learning
  9. 4. Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning
    1. Comparison of ACRL and ABET Standards
  10. 5. Creativity in Engineering, Information Literacy, and Communication Patterns of Engineering
    1. Nature of Engineering
    2. The Design Process
    3. Communication and Information-Seeking Habits of Engineers
  11. 6. Designing Information Literacy Assignments
    1. Introduction
    2. The Academic Librarian’s Instructional Environment
    3. Curriculum Mapping
    4. Examples of IL Programs in Engineering (a Literature Review)
    5. Problem-Based Learning and IL
    6. Engineering Information Resources
    7. Choosing Term Paper Topics
    8. IL in Design Projects
    9. Freshmen Design Projects
    10. IL and Capstone Design
    11. Entrepreneurship
    12. Appendix
  12. 7. Information Literacy and Assessment
    1. Introduction
    2. Evaluation of Bibliographies/Citations
    3. Assessing the Citations
    4. Research Logs
    5. Worksheets
    6. Portfolios
  13. 8. Internships
    1. Cooperative Education
    2. Internships
    3. History of Cooperative Education
    4. Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Practice
    5. Bureaucratic Aspects of the Internship Program Office at the Educational Institution
  14. 9. Learning Contract
    1. Internship Learning Contract
    2. Other Issues Related to the Internship Learning Contract
    3. Appendix 1
    4. Appendix 2
    5. Appendix 3
    6. Appendix 4
    7. Appendix 5
    8. Appendix 6
  15. 10. Evaluation of Internships
  16. 11. Information Literacy and Career Skills
    1. Introduction
    2. Collaboration Between Career Counselors and Librarians
    3. Locating Internships
    4. Finding Background Information on Companies
    5. Internet Versus Library Databases
    6. The CSULB Model: Job Seeking in Economically Hard Times
    7. Assignment Combining Career and Library Skills
    8. Sustaining the Collaboration
  17. 12. Conclusion

Product information

  • Title: Lifelong Learning for Engineers and Scientists in the Information Age
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: December 2011
  • Publisher(s): Elsevier
  • ISBN: 9780123852151