WHY EER

WHY EER

What Is Engineering Education Research?

Engineering Education Research (EER) is a rigorous, interdisciplinary field in which scholars use research methods from education and social science to address a variety of issues relevant to engineering education.

This spectrum is one way to depict related forms of scholarship. Effective Teaching primarily involves the use of good content and teaching methods; while Scholarly Teaching is informed by research on good teaching and includes faculty reflection on their practice. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) involves investigating student learning in the classroom – faculty who engage in SOTL design ways to study their teaching innovations and share findings with colleagues. Engineering Education Research (EER) often happens outside an individual classroom, extends beyond student learning, and addresses broad “why” and “how” questions.

The Market For EER Professionals


Teachers

  • Tenure-line professors in engineering education and traditional engineering departments
  • Instructors or research scientists in universities and national laboratories
  • Secondary school teachers specializing in science or engineering
  • Educators in informal education settings – such as museums and outreach programs – aiming to enhance the STEM education and workforce pipeline


Administrators

  • Professional staff in university centers for STEM teaching and learning
  • Administrators in educational institutions leading assessment, evaluation, outreach, diversity, or other engineering education-related efforts
  • Higher education liaisons to industry addressing philanthropy, diversity, recruitment, or development
  • Trainers or human resource managers in industry or nonprofit organizations
  • Administrators in federal agencies and foundations providing financial support for STEM education


Researchers

  • Learning scientists at educational technology companies such as Coursera or McGraw Hill
  • Researchers in policy, advocacy, and evaluation organizations