Examining the use of engineering internship workplace competency assessments for continuous improvement

Abstract

This study explored how workplace competency assessment data collected by College of Engineering programs from internship students and their supervisors between fall 2001 through fall 2011, are applied toward continuous improvement practices. The continuous improvement process is integral to the accreditation and evaluation of the engineering curriculum. This mixed methods study examined three separate practices using internship workplace competency assessment ratings in the continuous improvement process. The study examined how assessment rankings of the internship students' workplace competency strengths and weakness have changed from the 2001-05 assessment terms in the past accreditation cycle, to the 2006-11 assessment terms of the most recent accreditation cycle. It examined competency achievement percentages related to the ABET Criterion 3 (a-k) outcomes across the same timeline, and investigated how workplace competency assessment data are used to support continuous improvement for program curricula in the College of Engineering. The intent of the study was to gain better understanding of how the workplace competency assessment data has benefited the continuous improvement process that enhances student learning. The results can also provide suggestions to programs in the early stages of developing new program evaluation techniques.