Integration and Contextualization of an Adaptable Engineering Teaching and Learning Technology for Displacement Contexts

Dhinesh Radhakrishnan, Research Scientist, Purdue University

Jennifer DeBoer, Director – Education & Youth, Purdue Applied Research Institute

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mEd Alliance Symposium, October 2024

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Outline

• Displacement Contexts – Where and with Whom?
• Engineering Teaching and Learning – What and Why?
• Technology – And?
• Integration – How?
• Contextualization/Localization – What more?

Displacement Contexts

2X since 2017!

The “Problem”

Source: Skills Needs Survey Report, 2023: Federation of Kenya Employers

In higher education, engineering skills, and their application fill a key labor market need of many countries, especially those hosting many displaced people (Wasunna, 2018).

The “Problem”

• Marginalized communities are often shut out of engineering education opportunities.
• Though marginalized communities - e.g., refugees, low-income urban and rural families, and girl learners - will be the most affected by climate change, engineering expertise is often not built up in the communities themselves.
• How do we live with this irony? We need to problematize engineering/problem-solving skills as a human right.

Who should solve the problems?

Azraq Refugee Camp, Jordan

Girl learners @ a High School in Masvingo, Zimbabwe

“Street Youth” in Eldoret, Kenya

LGBTQ+ Youth facing Housing Insecurity in U.S.

Engineering Teaching and Learning via Localized Engineering in Displacement

DeBoer. J, Radhakrishnan. D, Freitas. C., 2022

Prototype of Foundational EngStarter Kit

Teachers at Tumaini Innovation Center, Kenya testing the prototype EngStarter kit

Technology - EngStarter

Empowered identity

Community Impact

LED

Technical content

EngStarter

• Knowledge of electronics
• Problem-solving skills
• Self-reliance

Integration

Trinity Haven has always prioritized healthy, nutritious food for its residents.

�Gardening is a long-term commitment, and there are many moving parts to account for. Hey, what if we could fix that?

Automated Irrigation & Moisture Level Monitoring!

Prototypes designed and tested but not implemented��Solutions designed but not installed ��Solutions installed but not maintained ��Solutions maintained but unable to fix breakdowns �

Contextualization/Localization

Understanding the problem

Implement and monitor

Gathering data on the problem

Design and prototyping

Gathering data on the solution design

Exploration tool

Learning tool

Design tool

Testing & evaluation tool

Monitoring & trouble-shooting tool

Research and Evaluation – Contextualization/Localization

• Affordance Theory - Davis and Chouinard (2016)
• Mechanisms (How do technologies afford?) – Request, Demand, Encourage, Discourage, Refuse, Allow
• Conditions (Affordances for whom and under what circumstances?) – Perception, Dexterity, and Cultural and Institutional Legitimacy

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Ambiguity Theory – Barley, Leonardi, and Bailey (2012)

• Objects gain meaning through interactions
• Strategy of Ambiguity vs. Strategy of Clarity

Impact

Evolution of Engineering Solutions

Evolution of Student Identity

Questions

www.deboer-lab.engineer

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Dhinesh Radhakrishnan – dradhak@purdue.edu

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Jennifer DeBoer – deboerj@purdue.edu

Thank you!