Development, Deployment, and Assessment of a New Educational Paradigm for Transportation Professionals and University Students

This project is a part of the Region X Consortium’s plan to deliver a new educational program to a target audience of university students and transportation professionals in the Pacific Northwest in order to address pipeline, training, and retention issues in the transportation industry. The program is based on a new paradigm for educational content delivery—an active, problem-based learning environment conducted at a distance. Supported by educational research and the expertise of the faculty from the proposing institutions, this program seeks to enhance the quality of the learning environment for transportation students, thereby advancing the cause of transportation workforce recruitment,…

This project is a part of the Region X Consortium’s plan to deliver a new educational program to a target audience of university students and transportation professionals in the Pacific Northwest in order to address pipeline, training, and retention issues in the transportation industry. The program is based on a new paradigm for educational content delivery—an active, problem-based learning environment conducted at a distance. Supported by educational research and the expertise of the faculty from the proposing institutions, this program seeks to enhance the quality of the learning environment for transportation students, thereby advancing the cause of transportation workforce recruitment, and to provide pedagogically sound, cost effective training to practicing professionals in order to hone essential skills and promote workforce retention. The Region X Transportation Consortium is developing four course modules, delivering these modules in a unique distance-based learning environment, testing the efficacy of the modules in meeting program goals, and providing a means to disseminate materials and lessons learned to a national audience. The modules are learner-centered, built upon our extensive experience in creating active, problem-based learning environments for our transportation students, and validated by pedagogical research funded through the National Science Foundation and others. A substantial body of research demonstrates that problem-based environments produce students who perform better at solving novel problems and other positive learning outcomes. The modules will be offered over a distance to our target audience of university students and practicing professionals. This learning environment will provide many benefits to both groups. Students and professionals will develop essential communication and collaboration skills in a distance-separated work environment that replicates the work environment at most agencies. Students will network with professionals and gain a real understanding of the field, as well as forge relationships and perhaps, find mentors. Students will benefit from the professionals’ perspectives, work ethic and occupational pride. Students will contribute a fresh perspective and technological savvy. Professionals will gain essential training in technical skills by solving generative problems stated in their complex contexts. This professional development can aid in improving job retention by building core competencies and fostering networking. Enhanced learning and self-assessment skills, developed in both groups, will contribute to the creation of an engineering workforce of “life-long learners.” According to the National Academy of Engineering, this is an imperative for the 21st century. The four UTCs will develop and deliver these new curricula to university students and practitioners from the state DOTs and their partners (including local transportation agencies and private consultants).