Discussion of the Method is an ideal supplement for introductory and advanced courses in engineering, philosophy, and other disciplines, as well as a compelling read for general audiences."--BOOK JACKET.

This book is written for all university and college teachers interested in experimenting with discussion methods in their classrooms. Discussion as a Way of Teaching is a book full of ideas, techniques, and usable suggestions on: * How to prepare students and teachers to participate in discussion * How to get discussions started * How to keep discussions going * How to ensure that teachers' and students' voices are kept in some sort of balance It considers the influence of factors of race, class and gender on discussion groups and argues that teachers need to intervene to prevent patterns of inequity present in the wider society automatically reproducing themselves inside the discussion-based classroom. It also grounds the evaluation of discussions in the multiple subjectivities of students' perceptions. An invaluable and helpful resource for university and college teachers who use, or are thinking of using, discussion approaches.

In an effort to more clearly define the engineering method, this document attempts to draw distinctions between engineering and science. Part I, "Some Thoughts on Engineering," discusses strategies that engineers employ to solve problems, and the characteristics of the types of engineering problems. Part II, "The Principal Rule of the Engineering Method," gives a definition of the engineering method and provides examples which: (1) compare individual engineers; (2) establish a rule for judging the performance of an engineer; (3) compare the technological developments of various nations; (4) analyze several pedagogical strategies of engineering education; and (5) define the relationship between the engineer and society. Part III, "Some Heuristics Used by the Engineering Method," includes some simple rules of thumb, factors about safety, heuristics that affect the engineer's attitude toward his/her work, heuristics that engineers use to keep risk within acceptable bounds, and factors dealing with resource allocation. (TW)

Introduction To Training And Development | Human Resource Development And Career Planning | Training Need Identification | Learning | Strategic Training And Development | Organising The Training Function | Training Programme Design | Training Climate | Training Methodlogy | Training Methodology | Training Methodology | Transfer Of Training | Training Aids | Training Evaluation | Employee Obsolescence And Training | Training Perpectives And Trends