Building Reflection and Communication Bridges for Broadening of Knowledge in Learned Ignorami

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Abstract

Reflective writing, as a reflection and communication tool, may help engineers frame their experiences with technical and professional challenges, thus possibly broadening their mindset. We conjecture that it is possible to gauge the broadening of mindset quantitatively. To this end, we have deployed a before- and after- style reflective writing activity in a graduate seminar course. The reflection prompts were developed based on the Entrepreneurial Mindset framework. This framework is a curious, connected, and value-creating way of thinking which fosters problem-solving, critical thinking, etc. These are important dimensions to prepare engineers for the future. We apply hypothesis testing to conduct a quantitative metadiscourse marker analysis of students' reflections before and after weekly seminars to measure change in students' mindset. Our analysis framework is applicable to assessing broadening of mindset ranging from individual students in a given semester to separate groups of students over multiple semesters for a longitudinal study.

Publication Title

IEEE International Professional Communication Conference

ISBN

[9798350384451]

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