Engineering education : reverse engineering the need for an improved disciplinary design

Abstract

An academic foundation is crucial to the successful development of engineering education as a discipline, in that it not only provides academic recognition to this process but also creates a common understanding, logic and therefore goal about the direction of study that needs to take place. This paper discusses the importance of providing and academically legitimate foundation for the further development of engineering education (EE) as a discipline. In building this foundation the issues of appropriately categorizing EE, assigning a disciplinary type, is discussed. This is followed by an analysis of the complexities involved in the study of emergence of EE as a discipline and the rare academic opportunities this study presents for EE scholars. To complete a common understanding, in relation to a legitimate and academic foundation for further study of EE as a discipline, Paradigm theory is applied to EE as an initial tool and starting point for further development.