Brian Frank spends a lot of time and energy improving engineering education, whether it’s in the classroom through innovative teaching and learning approaches or by supporting professional development and knowledge-sharing among educators.
Frank coordinated the Engineering Graduate Attribute Development (EGAD) project, a group of educators who developed resources and support for faculty to implement outcomes-based assessment of engineering students. He was also part of the group that founded the Canadian Engineering Education Association to help engineering educators share effective teaching practices and current engineering education research.
An early adopter of active and problem-based learning in his engineering courses at Smith Engineering at Queen’s University, Frank noticed two results: student confidence and engagement increased, and failure rates dropped. For example, he transitioned his first-year engineering design course to use community-based design projects where students work with real-life clients to identify needs and iterate solutions. Frank found students were far more motivated when they that someone would benefit from their efforts.
Frank also employs upper-year students as mentors in that first-year class. Many students coming out of high school haven’t developed skills like project management, communication, effective teamwork and problem-solving, which are essential to successful completion of their degree. The mentors gain valuable project-management experience, while the first-years experience an easier transition to university.
Frank and his colleagues recently created a pathway for students who’ve completed technology programs at Ontario colleges to enter Queen’s Smith Engineering at the third-year level after a summer bridge program. The first cohort has just completed their third-year courses, and Frank says it’s been a huge success: “We've been really impressed by the quality of the students academically. They've done just as well as our direct admit students.” The school is hoping to also build partnerships with Indigenous secondary schools to support more Indigenous students entering Smith Engineering.
Ultimately, Frank believes that students, as well as educators, need to be included in the work of improving engineering education.
“I think it's really important that we listen to students. Their perspective is quite valuable.”
Additional Engineers Canada award recipients
Supported by
Platinum
Silver
