The Problem of Manual Assessments of Training Simulators—A Systems Approach Abstract.pdf

The Problem of Manual Assessments of Training Simulators—A Systems Approach Olatoyosi Olude, Eileen Way, Ph.D. Department of Systems Science Industrial Engineering Binghamton University State University of New York Binghamton, NY 13902 Abstract Since the inception of the Engineering Criteria 2000 (EC2000) by the Accreditation Board for En- gineering and Technology (ABET), engineering educators need to demonstrate how well students are learning, which is a challenging task. Many educators have used simulation–based training to assess student learning outcomes. These training simulators have been assessed manually, how- ever, the manual assessments of these training simulators raise issues of reliability and validity. Based on the findings of the case studies used, this paper proposes a systems–based approach, such as Neural Networks can be used when the issue of reliability and validity arises to assess leadership skills of undergraduate engineers. Introduction Today the tools and technologies used in the classroom have changed but not the process of teach- ing. Engineering students all too frequently “sit passively in class copying from the board, reading or just daydreaming while the professor writes on the board” 13. Recently, engineering educators are changing because corporate businesses are complaining to university administrators about the ability of new graduates to apply their undergraduate education to real world problems. Rugarcia, Felder, Woods and Stice stated that “. . . corporations are publicly complaining about the lack of professionalism, communication and teamwork etc.” 13, in other words, leadership skills. Implementation of New Educational Programs There are many solutions colleges find to the question of the lack of lea