Self-Managed Learning Model for Civil Engineering Continuing Training
This article has a reply.
VIEW THE REPLYThis article has a reply.
VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 132, Issue 3
Abstract
Engineering is largely a knowledge-based profession; value comes increasingly from what an organization or individual knows rather than possesses. Continuing training is the principal means by which engineers maintain and expand knowledge once in the profession. Within civil engineering, the rapid pace of technological change and the increased retirement of experienced personnel have placed increased pressure on training to provide more content, timelier delivery, and more flexibility for the same or less money. These pressures necessitate a training market shift from an employer-centered model, which is inherently inefficient and slow, to an employee-centered model, which is more efficient, individualized, and timely. Typical abilities and strengths of engineers indicate an approach to employee-centered training called self-managed learning could be successful. In order to increase the chances of success for such an approach, the array of training options available to civil engineers must be broadened to include more quality online self-directed learning options. This addition would better enable civil engineers to select training options that closely match their needs, schedule, and learning style preferences.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Abbott, J., and Dahmus, S. (1992). “Assessing the appropriateness of self-managed learning.” Manage. Educ. Devel., 11(1), 50–60.
Aherne, M. J. (1996). “Learning in professional engineering and earth science: An exploratory study.” MS thesis, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton.
Allen, M., ed. (2002). “Corporate University Xchange fifth annual benchmarking report.” Corporate Univ., Xchange, Inc., N.Y.
Bachman, K. (2000). “Corporate e-learning: Exploring a new frontier.” W R Hambrecht+Co. white paper on the ASTD website, http://www.astd.org/astd/Publications/Whitepapers/vendor_whitepapers.htm (May 20, 2005).
Barton, B., and Bommer, M. (1992). “Myths about engineers maintaining professional technical competence.” Int. J. Contin. Eng. Educ. Lifelong Learn., 2(1), 22–30.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2004). “Occupational employment and wages, November 2003.” USDL 04-2320, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D.C. http://www.bls.gov/oes/home.htm (May 6, 2005).
Crawford, F. (1990). “Continuing education and training.” Comput. Control Eng. J., 1(4), 159–161.
Dejoy, J. K., and Dejoy, D. M. (1987). “Self-directed learning: The time is now.” Training and Development J., 41(9), 64–66.
Dolezalek, H. (2004). “Training magazine’s 23rd annual comprehensive analysis of employer-sponsored training in the United States.” Training, 41(10), 20–36.
Durr, R. E. (1992). “An examination of readiness for self-directed learning and selected personnel variables at a large midwestern electronics development and manufacturing corporation.” Doctoral dissertation, Florida Atlantic Univ., Boca Raton, Fla.
Durr, R. E., Guglielmino, L. M., and Guglielmino, P. J. (1996). “Self-directed learning readiness and occupational categories.” Human Resources Development Q., 7(4), 349–358.
Foucher, R., and Brézot, F. (1997). “Self-directed learning in health care institutions—An analysis of policies and practices.” Expanding horizons in self-directed learning, Huey B. Long and Associates, eds., Public Managers Center, College of Education, Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, 101–116.
Gräfen, H. (1991). “Continuing education: An investment for the future.” Int. J. Contin. Eng. Educ. Lifelong Learn., 1(2), 121–128.
Guglielmino, P. J., and Guglielmino, L. M. (2001). “Moving toward a distributed learning model based on self-managed learning.” S.A.M. Adv. Manage. J., 66(3), 36–43.
Guglielmino, P. J., and Murdick, R. G. (1997). “Self-directed learning: The quiet revolution in corporate training and development.” S.A.M. Adv. Manage. J., 62(3), 10–14.
Guglielmino, P. J., Guglielmino, L. M., and Long, H. B. (1987). “Self-directed learning readiness and performance in the workplace.” J. Higher Educ., 16, 303–317.
Hissey, T. W. (2000). “Enhanced skills for engineers.” Proc. IEEE, 88(8), 1367–1370.
Kayser, P. (1988). “Qualifizierung als MaBnahme der Verbesserung des technologieorientierten Innovationsprozesses in mittelstandischen Unternehmen.” Weiterbildungspraxis fur neue Technologien, 1, Aufl., Dusseldorf, VDI-Verlag.
Kops, W. J. (1997). “Managers as self-directed learners: Comparing findings of studies in private and public sector organizations.” Expanding horizons in self-directed learning, H. B. Long and Associates, eds., Public Managers Center, College of Education, Univ. of Oklahoma. Norman, 71–86.
Kops, W. J. (1993). “Self-planned learning efforts of managers in an organizational context.” Emerging perspectives of self-directed learning. H. B. Long and Assoc., eds., Public Managers Center, College of Education, Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, 229–245.
Levy, G. W., and Newman, S. C. (1979). “A survey of continuing education for nonacademic scientists and engineers.” Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio.
Loewenstein, M. A., and Spletzer, J. R. (1994). “Informal training: A review of existing data and some new evidence.” National longitudinal surveys discussion paper, U.S. Dept, of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D.C. http://www.bls.gov/ore/pdf/nl940050.pdf (October 5, 2003).
Lukasiewicz, J. (1971). “The dynamics of science and engineering education.” Eng. Educ., 61, 880–882.
Masten, M. K. (1995). “A strategy for industry’s continuing education needs.” Control Eng. Pract., 3(5), 717–721.
Meister, J. C. (1998). “Extending the short shelf life of knowledge.” Training and Development, 52(6), 52–59.
Mericka, J. (1992). “Dilemmas of continuing engineering education.” Int. J. Contin. Eng. Educ. Lifelong Learn., 2(1), 75–80.
Muench, S. T., and the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT). (2005). “The virtual superpave laboratory.” ED-001, National Asphalt Pavement Association, Lanham, Md.
Muench, S. T., and Mahoney, J. P. (2004). “A computer-based multimedia pavement training tool for self-directed learning.” Transportation Research Record. 1896, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 3–12.
National Research Council. (NRC). (1985). “Continuing education of engineers.” Panel on Continuing Education, Committee on the Education and Utilization of the Engineer, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, NRC, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. http://www.nap.edu/books/0309035937/html/index.html (March, 3, 2003).
National Science Board. (2004). “Science and engineering indicators 2004.” NSB 04-01, National Science Board, National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C. http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind04/start.htm (April 26, 2005).
O’Shaughnessy, R. D. (1992). “Criteria civil engineers use in deciding whether or not to participate in noncredit continuing engineering education programs.” Doctoral dissertation, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Paton, A. E. (2002). “What industry needs From universities for engineering continuing education.” IEEE Trans. Educ., 45(1), 7–9.
Poirot, J. W. (1993). “Meeting professional development needs in a large consulting firm.” J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract., 119(4), 333–337.
Roberts, D. G. (1986). “A study of the use of the self-directed learning readiness scale as related to selected organization variables.” Doctoral dissertation, Univ. of Missouri at Kansas City, Kan.
Rymell, R. G., and Newsom, R. (1981). “Self-directed learning and HRD.” Training and Development J., 35(8), 50–52.
Sugrue, B., and Kim, K.-H. (2004). “2004 state of the industry report.” American Society for Training and Development, Alexandria, Va.
Tannenbaum, S. (2002). “A strategic view of organizational training and learning.” Creating implementing, and managing effective training and development: State-of-the-art lessons for practice, K. Kraiger, ed., Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 10–52.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2002). “2002 County business patterns.” http://www.census.gov/csd/susb/susb02.htm (May 4, 2005).
Welling, L. G., Levy, G. W., and Newman, S. C. (1980). “Survey of continuing education delivery systems for scientists and engineers employed in small, nonurban establishments.” Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio.
Zelikoff, S. B. (1969). “The obsolescing engineer.” Sci. Technol., 88, 46–51.
Zemke, R. (1998). “In search of self directed learners.” Training, 35(5), 60–68.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Jun 1, 2005
Accepted: Aug 16, 2005
Published online: Jul 1, 2006
Published in print: Jul 2006
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.