Writing in the discipline - A case study in construction management

Abstract

Communication for the engineering and technology graduates always scored very high in the employers' list of desirable attributes. ABET also placed high priority on communication in their required program outcomes for engineering and technology graduates. Also, it is obvious to the faculty members that students need extended writing practice beyond their English courses. This paper describes the writing in the discipline (WID) program initiated at Farmingdale State and how the construction management program has set up its courses to satisfy the requirements. The writing in the discipline program emphasizes writing critically and in case of technical courses it should have analysis and problem solving mode. So, it is critical to have the assignments are designed and articulated in a manner that proves critical thinking among the students. The process of re-designing a course to conform to WID requirements is described. The paper shares actual assignment given to the students and some of the best and worst responses from the students. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2006.