Collaborative Research: Research Initiation Grants in Engineering Education: Development of Innovation Capacity in Engineering Students Through Virtual Internships

Can the use of an immersive learning environment (an epistemic game) help engineering students to develop innovative product designs? David Williamson Shaffer, Naomi Chessler, and their team are evaluating a virtual work environment that allows engineering students to participate in a product design company, interact with group design members, complete tasks for their virtual manager, and gain input from consultants and end-use customers. This project will provide an opportunity for the team to learn more about qualitative and quantitative research techniques in education and how these can be applied to measure innovation within product design.