Sherwin and Bidanda Receive the 2021 ASEE IED New IE Educator Outstanding Paper Award

The Industrial Engineering Division (IED) of the American Society of Engineering Education annually presents an Outstanding Paper Award to exceptional individuals in IE education. Two faculty members at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering received this year’s recognition.

Michael Sherwin, assistant professor of industrial engineering, and Bopaya Bidanda, Ernest E. Roth Professor and chair of industrial engineering, received the award at the virtual 2021 ASEE Annual Conference for their winning article, "Effects of Pedagogical Changes to an Engineering Capstone Design Course During the COVID-19 Pandemic." 

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced universities to shut down all but essential work, faculty and staff had to strategize how to transition courses to remote instruction. Sherwin’s article focuses on the IE senior capstone course and uses student surveys and course evaluations to assess if the mode of course delivery affected the overall student experience.

“Through a general class survey, we were able to confirm that the changes made to the Industrial Engineering Senior Design Course (IE1090) did not adversely impact the student experience or the ability to meet the ABET course requirements,” Sherwin said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has produced several challenges to education delivery, but I am proud of how the students have responded to the changes. Although a limited study, the results demonstrate we are doing the right things.”

“While we were fortunate to receive a national award for redesigning our signature capstone design course, I really want to commend all of our IE faculty who worked very hard,” Bidanda said. “They developed uniquely innovative teaching methods, like video and board games, to continue to deliver high quality education to our students. We have an incredible group of dedicated faculty members.”