Social Dimension of Web 2.0 in Engineering Education

N

9

Foreign Countries; Engineering Education; Engineering; Telecommunications; Student Development; Web 2.0 Technologies; Social Environment; Student Needs; College Students; Educational Needs; Needs Assessment; Social Networks; Summer Programs; Questionnaires; Computer Science Education; Student Surveys; Computer Uses in Education; Information Technology; Pretests Posttests

Estonia; European Union

Contemporary engineers need to become more cognizant and more responsive to the emerging needs of the market for engineering and technology services. Social dimension of Web 2.0 which penetrates our society more thoroughly with the availability of broadband services has the potential to contribute decisively to the sustainable development of engineering education. Aim of the following paper is to analyze the student engineers' needs in social dimension of Web 2.0. The meaning of the key concepts of "social dimension of Web 2.0" and "needs analysis" is studied. The results of the empirical study within a multicultural environment emphasize that needs analysis contributes to the use of social dimension of Web 2.0 by student engineers. The conclusion reveals that the social dimension of Web 2.0 in engineering education is an opportunity for enhancing student engineer experience as a condition for creation of new knowledge. Contains a bibliography. (Contains 4 figures.)

As Provided

2012

ED529830