Why don't they understand what they know? What to do about it!

Abstract

Even excellent students have trouble applying their knowledge to real applications. These neophyte engineers have little personal understanding of what they have studied. They are excellent at applying the theories they know if they are shown what equations apply, what the relevant inputs are, the plan of attack, and the form desired for the answer. Without these critical inputs, they are initially not very valuable. We can aid our students understanding by associating their theory with mental and physical models and applications. The cost is getting professors to upgrade their class notes so that they are self standing when reproduced, somewhat alter their teaching style, and invest some time in preparing demonstrations. The benefits to the students are: (1) improved design performance, as they will have better access to what they know; (2) better jobs because they make better impressions during interviews, and (3) industry will assimilate them more easily because they are already beginning to think like experienced engineers.