A Simple Approach to the Introduction and Assessment of Lifelong Learning in a Freshman-Level Technology Course

Engineering and Engineering Technology programs have been struggling with practical ways to incorporate the assessment of lifelong learning.In this simple approach, a freshman manufacturing processes course introduced students to the expected practice of lifelong learning.Students were required to pursue and document three hours of independently pursued "Professional Development Opportunities." Introduction to the requirements provided opportunity to discuss the breadth of available lifelong learning resources.The exercise required students to take independent initiative on topics of personal choice or interest and to identify available resources.Specific submission criteria required students to reflect on their activity as a learning experience, comparing it with their goals prior to the activity.The resulting student submissions insure that student-submitted summaries address lifelong-learning outcomes, enabling easy and direct assessment.