A Whole New Engineer: The Coming Revolution in Engineering Education

A Whole New Engineer examines the need for transformation in engineering education to meet the demands of the modern world. The book chronicles initiatives at two institutions - Olin College and the iFoundry at University of Illinois - as they work to reimagine how engineers are taught. The authors document specific changes implemented at these schools, including new approaches to curriculum design, student engagement, and teaching methods. Through real examples and case studies, they demonstrate how engineering education can shift from a focus on technical knowledge to developing the whole engineer - including emotional, social and creative capabilities. The narrative tracks both successes and setbacks in these educational experiments, showing the practical challenges of institutional change. The book includes perspectives from students, faculty, and administrators who participated in these programs. This work points to broader questions about the purpose of engineering education and how universities can evolve to prepare students for an increasingly complex world. The authors present a vision for engineering that integrates technical excellence with human development and joy in learning.

Readers describe this as a call-to-action for transforming engineering education through emotional and social development alongside technical skills. Many note its accessibility for both educators and students. What Readers Liked: - Clear examples of successful educational innovations - Focus on joy and purpose in engineering - Integration of emotional intelligence into technical fields - Practical framework for implementing changes What Readers Disliked: - Some found it repetitive - Limited concrete implementation details - Writing style can be informal - Few metrics or data points to support claims Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (44 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (31 ratings) Notable Reader Comments: "Presents a much-needed holistic view of engineering education" - Amazon reviewer "Could have been condensed into a long article" - Goodreads reviewer "Changed how I think about teaching technical subjects" - Engineering educator on LinkedIn Reviews indicate the book resonates more with educators and administrators than practicing engineers.

Creating Innovators by Tony Wagner This book demonstrates how education systems can be transformed to develop the creative and entrepreneurial capacities needed for modern engineering and technical fields.

To Engineer Is Human by Henry Petroski The examination of engineering failures and successes provides insights into how engineering education and practice can evolve for future generations.

The Engineering Book: From the Catapult to the Curiosity Rover by Marshall Brain The evolution of engineering through 250 milestones illustrates the transformative nature of engineering education and practice across history.

The Entrepreneurial Engineer by David E. Goldberg The connection between engineering education and entrepreneurial thinking presents frameworks for developing business-minded technical professionals.

Educating the Engineer of 2020 by National Academy of Engineering The analysis of engineering education trends and future requirements provides a roadmap for transforming how engineers learn and develop professionally.

🎓 Author David Goldberg spent 30+ years teaching engineering at the University of Illinois and pioneered emotional and psychological approaches to engineering education. ⚡ The book introduces the concept of "Big Beacon," a movement aimed at transforming engineering education by incorporating joy, trust, courage, and connection into technical learning. 🔄 The methodology described in the book was successfully tested at Olin College and the iFoundry at University of Illinois, leading to higher student engagement and better learning outcomes. 🌱 Rather than focusing solely on technical skills, the book advocates for developing "whole engineers" who combine analytical abilities with emotional intelligence, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking. 🤝 The book emerged from collaborative efforts between educators, industry leaders, and students who participated in workshops and experiments to reimagine engineering education over several years.