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    An Australian study of possible selves perceived by undergraduate engineering students

    261250.pdf (263.5Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Bennett, Dawn
    Male, S.
    Date
    2017
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Bennett, D. and Male, S. 2017. An Australian study of possible selves perceived by undergraduate engineering students. European Journal of Engineering Education. 42 (6): pp. 603-617.
    Source Title
    European Journal of Engineering Education
    DOI
    10.1080/03043797.2016.1208149
    ISSN
    0304-3797
    School
    School of Education
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/63346
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    In this study, we worked with second-year engineering students at an Australian university to examine previously identified threshold concepts within the theoretical framework of Possible Selves. Using workshops as the context for intensive work with students, students were encouraged to consider their future lives and work, including their engineering fears, expectations, and aspirations. The findings revealed many students to have a poor understanding of the realities of engineering work. Moreover, perceived gaps between self-efficacy and the requirements of engineering work appeared to be motivating if students deemed it possible to reduce the gap, but demotivating if they identified a characteristic over which there was perceived to be no control. The study suggests that these engineering students needed more opportunities to explore both the roles of engineers and their own possible selves. Overall, the findings indicate that higher education students may need encouragement and support to explore potential future roles, and they strengthen calls for further research in this area.

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