How do Engineers think ? Some Ideas from Britain and Germany.

16 Habits of Mind 1 Persisting 2 Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision 3 Managing impulsivity 4 Gathering data through all senses 5 Listening with understanding and empathy 6 Creating, imagining, innovating 7 Thinking flexibly 8 Responding with wonderment and awe 9 Thinking about thinking meta-cognition 10 Taking responsible risks 11 Striving for accuracy 12. [...] RECOMMENDATIONS – For the Engineering and Learning Community Dissemination of core messages Signature pedagogies for engineering In terms of teaching and learning, approaches such as project-based and problem- based learning are actively promoted as methods for building the engineering habits of mind that will enable them – or indeed anyone – to be successful in the complex real world Develo. [...] acatech Making Design Engineering Fascinating (1) Present design engineers act as developers, drivers and originators in the process of creating new products and thus have direct influence on the the success of manufacturing companies Future design engineers will also be managers capable of planning, managing and supervising projects both as part of a team or on their own. [...] Making Design Engineering Fascinating (3) Public Perception There is little awareness of the wide variety of skills a design engineer must possess taking into consideration the not quite clear understanging of the difference between a design engineer and a mechanical engineer. [...] Making Design Engineering Fascinating (4) What should be done The profile of a “design engineer“ should more clearly defined and vigorously promoted The relevant study courses should be better, both in terms of their content and teaching methods, at preparing students to work as design engineers Companies should take the opportunity to tackle the shortage of design engineers by offering jobs.