Integrating Practical Experience in a Geotechnical/FoundationEngineering Class: The Role of the Adjunct Faculty

摘要

This paper examines the status quo of adjunct faculty in engineering institutions and argues thatrnadjuncts do enrich an academic engineering program by bringing in their practical experiencernand by introducing relevant applications and design venues to the classroom. Adjunct faculty dornalso help in setting up linkages with the industrial sector, which often leads to: employmentrnopportunities for graduates, co-op activities, and potential development of collaborative researchrnprograms. Nevertheless, the present status of most adjunct faculty is tenuous, subject to shiftingrnenrollment, and considered as a temporary arrangement, or until a “full-time” faculty isrnappointed. Unfortunately adjuncts, often with proven records of excellent teaching, arernmarginalized by the academic systems in place today; and their efforts and contributions to thernacademic process are undervalued. If fair treatment, and proper recognition are accorded tornadjuncts; then, their morale, loyalty to the institution, and their teaching effectiveness wouldrnimprove markedly.rnNext, the paper reports on a success story of an adjunct, a practitioner with excellent credentials,rnwho “teamed-up” with a “full-time” faculty, in an attempt to bring-in the “practice” to 4th yearrnstudents in a geotechnical/foundation engineering class. The success achieved in meeting statedrnobjectives, I.e., including students’ exposure to the “practice”, was attributed, in large measure,rnto the proper coordination that preceded course delivery. The paper sheds light on thisrnexperience, and focuses on the contributions and effectiveness of the adjunct in: course planning,rndelivery of “practice – related” material, organizing instructional activities, as well as adjunct’srnability and effort in engaging students, in and outside the classroom. The positive outcome ofrnthis experience has lead other faculty members to follow the same path, I.e., by searching forrnpractitioners-as adjunct faculty- to assist in bringing the practice into the classroom, inrnpartnership with “full-time” faculty.