**4. Conclusions**

Changes in the economic, social, political areas, as well as the availability of information determine changes in the needs and educational offers. One successful solution is E-

**26** 

*USA* 

**Mechanical Engineering Education:** 

*1Engineering and Computer Science West Texas A&M University, 2Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry West Texas A&M University,* 

*3Mechanical Engineering Department Texas Tech University,* 

Emily M. Hunt1, Pamela Lockwood-Cooke2 and Michelle L. Pantoya3

Google decided to re-invent television by creating Google TV: which is basically software that can access everything available on regular television channels and the vast sea of content on the Internet, all on the biggest screen in the house. One motivation was to transform their current 1 billion market share associated with computer and hand held browsers to 4 billion TV watchers. When this feat is accomplished, the current statistics that cite 70% of 4 to 6 year olds have used computers and been exposed to the Internet prior to kindergarten will likely increase to 100%. In these exciting times there is a need to integrate this multi-modal influence into engineering education on a massive scale. According to studies, this new generation of Millenials (born early 1980-2000) places significant emphasis on meaningful careers. By introducing impactful, engineering education to this generation by integrating literature, technology, and successful teaching and learning methods into their culture, there are no limits to the meaningful contributions that future engineers will make toward improving our way of life. This chapter will highlight mechanical engineering education from kindergarten to functioning society member. We will discuss what works

Engineering education at the youngest ages is largely predicated on hands-on activities using manipulatives such as *LEGOS*™ [1]. But at the young ages of P-2nd grade, there is significant emphasis on language and literacy skills such that little time is devoted to science or engineering education in the classroom [2, 3]. Therefore, integrating engineering concepts into language and literary skills designed for young children could impact the early development of engineering thinking while simultaneously enabling more instruction and exposure to engineering concepts than currently exist. It is important to understand how purposefully prepared engineering literature presented in the format of picture book children's stories impacts learning in emergent readers. The influence of literature on children's thinking about *engineering* and the connection children make between science and engineering can be observed through illustrative data and feedback after exposure to

and how it works with the new student and citizen of today.

**2. Early engineering literacy** 

engineering literature [4-8].

**1. Introduction** 

**Preschool to Graduate School** 

learning. In order to respond to the dynamic needs of students, the E-learning educational systems must be modelled using the life cycle management and reference architectures. This paper presents an original model for reference architecture in the field of E-learning.

Among the most important activities that were highlighted by this reference architecture were the methodology for the realization of on-line courses and tutorials. These same activities are also the ones that raised the most important issues to the authors during their work. This paper presents the steps for elaborating an on-line course, as well as practical aspects that appeared in designing courses for mechanical engineering and cutting tools. The stages of developing a tutorial were also presented, alongside the main software products used in this field.

As for the issue of modern research and design, the team from Sibiu has redefined the notion of creative design, a process that uses creative methods in the Internet-based remote design process. Additionally, a model that describes the necessary stages of a remote research design activity was elaborated and an example of creative design carried out in the field of cutting tool was also presented.

The models presented in this paper correspond to the present-day information technology available. Future changes in technology will lead to changes in the hereby-presented technology.

### **5. References**

