<p>Professional engineers think and act in distinctive ways when addressing engineering problems. Students need to develop this reasoning or engineering thinking during their education. Unfolding the undergraduate students’ thinking is a necessary step in designing experiences and teaching materials that foster not only their understanding of engineering concepts but also their learning to think as professional engineers. While there are previous studies about the students' thinking in other disciplines, more research is needed in engineering. This three-study dissertation aims to further our comprehension of undergraduate students’ engineering thinking using an adapted version of the Engineering Habits of Mind (EHoM) model. Specifically, the dissertation’s studies work together to continue the research that addresses the question:<em> What are the characteristics of undergraduate students</em>’ <em>engineering thinking?</em></p> <p><br></p> <p>The first study used naturalistic inquiry to holistically explore the cognition associated with the EHoM of senior chemical engineering students when improving a chemical plant. The analysis of students’ interactions showed that their redesign process followed an iterative co-evolution of the problem and solution spaces. Furthermore, they treated the task as a socio-technical problem considering engineering and non-engineering factors. In addition, while exploring problem and solution entities, they used multiple representations to communicate ideas but had difficulties translating symbolic representations into more physical, concrete representations. Regardless the technical issues and time constraints, the students completed the conceptual redesign and communicated their proposal to the client.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The second study used qualitative content analysis to examine first-year engineering students’ ideation as a cognitive skill associated with the EHoM of problem finding and creative problem solving. Particularly, it focused on students’ ideation of questions and recommendations when doing data analytics to help improve a client’s enterprise. The analysis of students’ reports showed that they expanded the problem space of the task by bringing additional information that was not provided. They asked questions focused on performing statistical analysis of the dataset and requesting information about the company’s business model. At the end of their data analytics, students made high- and low-quality recommendations considering their alignment with a specific problem, robust evidence, and the client’s needs. </p> <p><br></p> <p>The third study used qualitative descriptive research to investigate undergraduate participants' cognitive competencies within engineering systems thinking at the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition. These competencies are associated with the EHoM of problem finding, creative problem solving, systems thinking, and visualization. Mainly, the study focused on analyzing the evidence of cognitive competencies documented in the publicly available participants’ wikis where they registered their design process. Results showed that iGEM teams developed solutions with biological systems interacting with other systems and used concepts and tools from multiple disciplines. They also cooperated with stakeholders, which helped them analyze their system from multiple lenses. Moreover, depending on their upfront task, they fluidly represented their systems from structural, behavioral, and functional perspectives. </p> <p><br></p> <p>The final chapter of this dissertation presents an overarching discussion across the studies. The findings and implications will support curriculum designers, instructors, and other interested readers to prepare learning environments that promote undergraduate students’ engineering thinking. Furthermore, they may guide future efforts to continue exploring the students' thinking process when addressing engineering problems. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Engineering Technology (ET) programs are pivotal in preparing graduates for the demands of the modern workforce, particularly in quality management systems (QMS). This study examines the alignment between QMS knowledge and experience gained by graduates in ABET-accredited ET programs and the expectations of industry. Through a dual-survey approach, targeting both industry leaders and academic educators, the research elucidates current QMS practices in industry, the scope of QMS education, and the resulting preparedness of graduates for professional roles. Findings indicate a discernible gap between industry expectations and current academic offerings in QMS education. While industry professionals rely on established QMS frameworks such as ISO 9001 and Lean Six Sigma, academic programs often limit their coverage to theoretical underpinnings rather than hands-on, practical applications. This discrepancy highlights the need for a more robust, application-oriented curriculum that bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world practice. Recommendations include a call for greater integration of practical QMS training within academic programs and stronger partnerships between academia and industry to foster educational content that aligns with professional QMS applications.</p>

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of introducing animated computer instructional aid (ACIA) in the learning of fluid mechanics. It was also intended as a means to evaluate the Constructionist Computer-Animated Instructional Model of Learning (CCAIML), which was developed and proposed for learning fluid mechanics. CCAIML includes the use of ACIA as a learning aid. Three theories underpins CCAIML learning model: the Constructionist learning theory, Media-Affects-learning hypothesis and Multiple representation principle. The study participants were the intact classes of first-time fluid mechanics’ students in Mechanical Engineering in four South African universities, who offer Bachelor of Engineering degrees in Mechanical Engineering. The study followed a mixed method approach: involving a static group design and a descriptive survey design. The control groups were the two consecutive, immediately preceding intact groups, who were taught fluid mechanics through the traditional lecturing method. The intervention groups were the non-randomized mechanical engineering students, who were taught by the same lecturer, who taught the control groups the same course material through a traditional approach, but taught the intervention group using the CCAIML learning approach. The findings of the study showed that: - ACIA facilitated the learning of the fluid mechanics module taught during the intervention, in CCAIML learning environment; - ACIA aroused the study participants’ interest in the learning of fluid mechanics module taught during the intervention; - The study participants understood the fluid mechanics module taught during the intervention better, in CCAIML learning environment, and were able to demonstrate this in the post intervention examination; - CCAIML learning approach encouraged classroom interaction, group and individual knowledge construction, practical demonstration of understanding of concepts and consequently improved classroom dynamics; - The majority of the study participants achieved higher scores in the fluid module taught during the intervention at the post intervention examination, by using CCAIML learning approach compared to the traditional approach; - No relationship was established between the level of study participants’ interest in the software used to aid learning ACIA and the study participants’ post-intervention achievement; and - Where the language medium of the instructional aid was different to that of the classroom medium of instruction, the learners’ achievement was affected. / Mathematical Sciences / Ph.D. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education)

Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Studies))-- University of Stellenbosch, 2009 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to develop a curriculum framework for engineering introduction programmes offered at a higher education institution, using a case study design. The South African government is attempting to redress the social inequalities which prevailed in the education sector during the apartheid era. One of their efforts has involved the widening of access to diverse groups in society in order to increase participation within the higher education sector. However, many students attempting their higher education studies are academically under prepared. This is mainly due to insufficient life skills, communication skills, numeric skills and literacy skills. The lack of these skills has inspired various international and national higher education institutions to develop academic programmes aimed at bridging the gap that exists between secondary schooling and higher education. Introduction programmes for prospective engineering students have to ensure high-quality curriculum development procedures in order to secure these students’ academic success throughout their engineering studies. This, in turn, leads to quality graduates and addresses the huge shortage experienced by the industry. An overview of the contextual and conceptual views on curriculum development is given against the backdrop of the current higher education legislation in South Africa. The overview regarding curriculum development links the introduction programme curriculum to generic learning outcomes specifically set at the National Qualification Framework Level 4. It suggests the application of continuous assessments, in line with outcomes-based education criteria, together with quality assurance in order to fit the Higher Education Quality Committee and the Engineering Council of South Africa’s accreditation criteria applicable to higher education institutions. During the design and methodological stages, it was established, by means of a theoretical investigation, that the first phase of this study determines whether students that successfully completed the introduction programme perform academically better than students entering the diploma programmes directly. The theoretical investigation also established that the second phase of this study determines if the diploma students dropped out of the programme for reasons other than academic performance. A triangulation approach was used to increase the validity of the empirical part of the study and to enhance the rigorous use of both quantitative and qualitative data. The study results shed light on the need for introduction programmes. In addition, it proposed a curriculum framework for improved engineering introduction programmes at the Vaal University of Technology. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om kurrikulumraamwerk vir oorbruggingsprogram vir ingenieurswese-studente in hoër onderwys te ontwikkel. Die kurrikulumraamwerk is ontwikkel deur middel van gevallestudie wat die implementering van oorbruggingskursusse in die ingenieurswese indringend ondersoek het. Die huidige Suid-Afrikaanse regering poog om die sosio-politieke wanbalanse as nalatenskap van apartheid, uit te wis. Dit word gedoen deur middel van inisiatiewe waarin onder meer hoër onderwys prominente vennoot is wat aan diverse samelewing gelyke geleenthede bied. Die huidige, meer toeganklike bedeling in hoër onderwys in Suid-Afrika het groot toename van studente uit histories agtergeblewe gemeenskappe tot gevolg gehad. Die meeste studente wat in hierdie konteks die hoëronderwyssektor betree, blyk in groot mate onvoorbereid te wees vir hoër onderwys vanweë hul gebrek aan lewens-, kommunikasie-, numeriese en taalvaardighede. Hierdie tendens kom ook op internasionale vlak voor. Dit het inisiatiewe ten opsigte van akademiese ontwikkeling op nasionale sowel as internasionale vlak genoodsaak. Die doel van akademiese ontwikkeling is primêr om die gaping tussen die skool en hoër onderwys te oorbrug. Oorbruggingskursusse moet van hoë gehalte wees om sodoende te kan verseker dat voornemende studente vir hoër onderwys, en vir die doel van hierdie studie meer spesifiek ingenieurstudente, van groter akademiese sukses verseker kan wees. Die suksesvolle implementering van oorbruggingskursusse vir ingenieurswese-studente behoort in groot mate tot beter gehalte gegradueerde te lei en bydrae te lewer tot die vraag na ingenieurswese-studente vir die nywerheidswêreld. Kontekstuele en konsepsuele beskouings ten opsigte van kurrikulumontwikkeling in die hoër onderwys in Suid-Afrika word deur generiese leeruitkomste bepaal. Hierdie uitkomste is op vlak 4 van die land se Nasionale Kwalifikasieraamwerk vasgepen. Dit het ook tot gevolg dat alle programme volgens amptelike Departement van Onderwys-dokumente aan deurlopende assessering onderwerp moet word, dat die gehalte van die kursus onderworpe is aan die gehalteversekeringskriteria van die vi Hoëronderwys se Gehaltekomitee (‘HEQC’) en dat dit moet voldoen aan die vereistes van die Ingenieursraad van Suid-Afrika. Teoretiese raamwerk is tydens die ontwerp- en metodiekstadium van die studie daargestel. Die doel van hierdie eerste fase van die studie was om te bepaal of diplomastudente wat die oorbruggingskursusse suksesvol voltooi het, akademies beter gepresteer het as daardie studente wat nie die oorbruggingskursus gevolg het nie. Die tweede studiefase het bepaal of die diplomastudente hul studies vir redes gestaak het wat moontlik nie met akademiese sukses verband hou nie. Die navorsing het van triangulasie gebruik gemaak, ten einde die doeltreffende gebruik van sowel kwantitatiewe as kwalitatiewe data te verhoog. Die resultate van die studie werp lig op en onderstreep die behoefte aan oorbruggingskursusse. Die navorsing beveel kurrikulumraamwerk aan vir die ontwerp van verbeterde oorbruggingskursusse in die ingenieurswese aan die Vaal Universiteit van Tegnologie.

The desire to produce a learning environment which promotes student motivation, collaboration, and higher order thinking is common within the higher education system of today. Such learning environments also have the ability to address challenges’ Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) students face entering the workforce. Through the vertical and horizontal integration of courses, this research presents how a scaffolded learning environment with a centralized theme of energy can increase motivation and conceptual retention within students. The integration of courses allows students to systematically translate their competency of concepts between energy based courses through experiential learning. The goal of this work is to develop a competency based learning model where students earn a professionally recognizable credential. The credential is earned through demonstrating their mastery of industry desired skills at a level that goes above and beyond the stock curriculum. The result is a more continuous curriculum that enhances multi-disciplinary problem solving while better preparing MET students for the workforce.

Este trabalho versa sobre a tecnologia, atendo-se de modo particular, mas não exclusivo, a isso que no Brasil se chama de tecnologia social (TS). A tese que se buscará defender aqui é múltipla. Em primeiro lugar, ontológica e politicamente, sustentar-se-á que a tecnologia social é uma implementação não apenas tecnicamente legítima e autêntica, como social e ambientalmente urgente. Contudo, para que tal tipo de solução seja passível de ser desenvolvida, é necessário, de uma parte, que se desenvolvam conhecimentos científicos e engenheiris apropriados. Com isso, o segundo argumento, epistemológico, é que esses conhecimentos são passíveis de ser produzidos e que os mecanismos que podem tornar tal coisa possível não subvertem o ethos próprio da ciência ou da engenharia. De outra parte, TS e engenharia popular demandam também um perfil profissional específico, o do engenheiro educador (ou engenheiro popular). Essa é a terceira dimensão da tese que defendemos. Por fim, ontológica e existencialmente, proporemos que o caminho para superar o desencantamento substantivo do mundo (Weber), a entificação do Ser (em seu desvelamento tecnológico no qual nos encontramos presos, via enquadramento Heidegger), a ditadura da racionalidade instrumental (Horkheimer & Adorno) ou a autoprodução e o automatismo do desenvolvimento tecnológico (que nos aprisiona ou agencia quase que inapelavelmente Ellul) pode emergir precisamente de algo como a tecnologia social, por meio da incorporação dos valores e saberes populares à construção da realidade sociotécnica que decidimos nos dar. Esse quarto aspecto, nesses termos, reforça o primeiro, trazendo novos elementos para subsidiar-se o entendimento acerca da urgência, em nossos dias, de uma solução técnica como a tecnologia social. / This work discusses technology, giving special attention to this that is called social technology (ST) in Brazil. The thesis that is substantiated here is multiple. First, ontologically and politically, it will be argued that social technology is not only technically legitimate and authentic, but also socially and environmentally urgent. However, in order to be implementable, ST demands, on the one hand, specific engineering and scientific knowledge to be advanced. Thus, the second dimension of our thesis, epistemological, sustains the understanding that such knowledge can be produced and the mechanisms required to make such production possible do not corrupt the scientific or engineering ethos. On the other hand, ST and popular engineering also demand a specific professional profile, the educator engineer (or popular engineer). This is the third dimension of the argument we defend here. Finally, ontologically and existentially, it will be suggested that a way to overcome the substantial disenchantment of the world (Weber), the entification of Being (in its technological unveiling in which we found ourselves trapped, via enframing Heidegger), the dictatorship of instrumental rationality (Horkheimer and Adorno) or the self-production and automatism of technological development (Ellul) may precisely emerge from something like social technology. This would be so by dint of the incorporation of popular values and knowledge to the construction of the sociotechnical reality we decide to build. This fourth aspect, then, strengthens the first one, offering new supporting elements to the urgency claim associated with the development of ST in our days.

A problematização é uma forma de explicitar, de propor as contradições presentes na realidade, e na Sociedade do Conhecimento que prima por habilidades e raciocínio crítico, ela é cada vez mais reforçada, pois trabalha questões complexas associadas aos problemas da realidade. Há pesquisas que apontam com diversas nomenclaturas a forma de conceber e adotar estratégias problematizadoras nos processos educacionais, contudo, poucas pesquisas voltadas para o ensino de Engenharia de Produção apresentam diretrizes aos professores a fim de que, baseando-se nelas, possam elaborar suas propostas pedagógicas possibilitando uma aprendizagem significativa e pensamento crítico. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desta pesquisa é apresentar um modelo de aprendizagem problematizadora, num contexto de aprendizagem presencial e virtual, oportunizando aprendizagem significativa, bem como avaliar o desenvolvimento do pensamento crítico dos alunos. O modelo tem por base uma revisão bibliográfica das teorias, conceitos e práticas da Metodologia da Problematização e do Ciclo de Aprendizagem Experiencial, e para sua aplicação segue com uma pesquisa-ação com alunos de uma disciplina do programa de pós-graduação em Engenharia da Produção de uma universidade pública do interior de São Paulo. Os indicadores de pensamento crítico identificados na literatura, e adaptados para a pesquisa, foram analisados mediante a realização de diversas atividades, trabalhos e discussões dos alunos propostos conforme o modelo de aprendizagem problematizadora. Os resultados revelam que problematizar situações conhecidas ou extraídas da realidade social dos alunos para a compreensão dos conteúdos acadêmicos transforma a aprendizagem em momento significativo, no qual o aluno passa a ser agente ativo no processo de construção do conhecimento e, por consequência, desenvolve em índices expressivamente positivos de pensamento crítico. / The problematization is a way of explicit, proposing the contradictions present in reality, and in the Knowledge Society that values for skills and critical thinking, it is increasingly enhanced, because it works complex issues associated with reality problems. There are research that pointing with various nomenclatures how to conceive and adopt problematizing strategies in the educational processes, however, few research in the area of Production Engineering instruction presents guidelines for teachers, based on them, can develop their pedagogical proposals allowing a significant learning and critical thinking. Accordingly, the objective of this research is to present a model of problematizing learning, in a context of presence and virtual learning, providing opportunities for significative learning, as well as evaluating the development of critical thinking of learners. The model is based on a bibliographic review of theories, concepts and practices of the Problematization Methodology and Experiential Learning Cycle, and its application follows with an action-research with students from a discipline of the graduate program in Production Engineering in a public university in the state of São Paulo. Indicators of critical thinking identified in the literature and adapted to the research, were analyzed by carrying out various activities, assignment and discussions of the proposed learners as the model of problematizing learning. The results show that problematizing known situations or extracted from the social reality of the students to understand the academic content turns learning into a meaningful moment in which the student becomes an active agent in the process of knowledge construction and, therefore, develops in indexes significantly positive of critical thinking.

<div>Although design is part of everyday experience, increased proficiency in managing and reflecting while designing signify greater proficiency as a designer. This capacity for regulation in design is crucial for learning, including from failure experiences, while designing. Failure and iteration are integral parts of design, with potential cognitive and psychological ramifications. On the one hand, failure can be framed as a learning experience that interrupts thinking and evokes reflection. On the other hand, it can be detrimental for confidence and motivation or derail the design process. Based on similarities between design and self-regulation, I articulate a framework whereby responses to failure might be regulated by beginning designers. Then, this case study applies the framework to describe the experiences and perspectives of beginning designers as they work and fail, illuminating issues of failure in design and the extent of their self-regulation.</div><div><br></div><div>The in situ design processes of four teams was examined to describe self-regulation strategies among student designers. Analysis was conducted with two methods: linkography and typological thematic analysis. Linkography, based on think-aloud data, provided a visual representation of the design process and tools to identify reflection, planning, and critical moments in the design process. Typological analysis, based on think-aloud data, follow-up interviews, and design journals, was used to investigate specific strategies of self-regulation. The complementary methods contribute to understanding beginning designers’ self-regulation from multiple perspectives.</div><div><br></div><div>Results portray varied trajectories in design, ranging from repeated failure and determination to fleeting success and satisfaction. Class structures emerge in designers’ patterns of planning and reflection. These highlight the contextualized and evolutionary nature of design and self-regulation. Furthermore, linkographic evidence showed a beginning sense-making process, followed by oscillating phases of forward and backward thinking, to various degrees. Moments of testing, both successes and failure, were critically connected in the design process.</div><div><br></div><div>Thematic analysis identified 10 themes, aligning with the self-regulatory phases of forethought, performance, and reflection. The themes highlight how regulation in forethought is used to shape performance based on past iterations; meanwhile, the identification and attribution of failures relays information on how, and whether to iterate. Collectively, thematic findings reinforce the cyclical nature of design and self-regulation.</div><div><br></div><div>Design and self-regulation are compatible ways of thinking; for designers, the juxtaposition of these concepts may be useful to inform patterns of navigating the problem-solving process. For educators, the imposition of classroom structures in design and self-regulatory thinking draws attention to instructional design and assessment for supporting student thinking. And for researchers of design or self-regulation, these methods can give confidence for further exploration.</div>

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T14:30:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Joao Jose Evangelista Rabelo.pdf: 6132544 bytes, checksum: fab013c6c714b91ffdcedbf1b3ee8c02 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This dissertation aims to identify and understand how a group of engineering instructors appropriate a complex pedagogic framework to reflect on and transform their practices. Initially the author, who is an engineering instructor, shows how the subject teaching engineering became an object of his investigation. The discussion of the Brazilian bibliography on engineering education indicates both the shortage of works on teacher development and the lack of pedagogic proposals based on the complex scientific paradigm. The results of this research support the improvement and innovation of teacher development programs on higher education and the dissemination of Edgar Morin s Complex Thought. The core of this dissertation encompasses three parts: an outline of a complex pedagogic framework; the use of this framework to the instructors theoretical development; and the application of the framework by the instructors to plan and apply new pedagogic actions. The theoretical part of the teacher development program lasted one semester and, under the author s supervision, started with the discussion of the concept of paradigm and its characteristics. This lead to the identification, by the instructors, of an engineering teacher paradigm of the programs they teach. The first discussions put into question traditional scientific thought and raised the interest on the paradigm of complexity, which was introduced. From a new epistemological framework, the Complex Thought, the instructors, based on pedagogic texts, critically reflected on their pedagogic conceptions and practices and were stimulated to think about changes in the light of the theoretical framework they were assimilating. In these activities, the instructors departed from scattered discourses and progressively incorporated the new pedagogic ideas into a more systematic understanding of the phenomena involved in their activities. As a result, they assumed greater responsibility for the improvement of their students academic results. The theoretical learning program finished with its evaluation by the instructors and was followed by the practical part of the program. At the beginning of a new semester the instructors wrote, under supervision, an intervention plan which included problem statement, objectives, activities and bibliography. The actions took place over the course of three months and the results were presented. Each instructor accomplished activities that reflected their prior experiences and pedagogic motivations. The reports demonstrated that many of the concepts learned were effectively used in the reconfiguration of the instructors actions. To a greater or lesser degree all instructors who finished the program were capable to using one or more principles of the Complex Thought theory to improve their pedagogic practices. Finally, the practical development program was evaluated by the instructors / Esta tese tem por objetivo desvelar e compreender como um grupo de docentes em engenharia se apropria de um referencial didático-pedagógico complexo na problematização e transformação de suas práticas. De início o autor, que é docente em engenharia, mostra como o tema docência em engenharia transformou-se em objeto de sua investigação. A discussão da bibliografia brasileira voltada para a educação em engenharia sinaliza tanto a carência de trabalhos de formação docente quanto a inexistência de propostas apoiadas no paradigma científico complexo. Os resultados desta pesquisa favorecem o desenvolvimento e inovação de programas de formação para a docência na educação superior e a difusão do Pensamento Complexo de Edgar Morin. O núcleo da tese compreende três partes: delineamento de um referencial didático-pedagógico de natureza complexa; utilização deste referencial em atividades de formação teórica; aplicação do referencial teórico no planejamento e implantação, pelos docentes, de mudanças em suas práticas pedagógicas. A formação teórica, realizada durante um semestre sob a coordenação do autor, partiu da discussão do conceito de paradigma e de suas características, levando à identificação, pelos professores, de um paradigma de ensino-aprendizagem nos cursos em que lecionam. Estes primeiros resultados favoreceram a crítica do pensamento científico tradicional e uma primeira aproximação ao paradigma da complexidade. A partir de um novo referencial epistemológico, o Pensamento Complexo, os docentes passaram, com o apoio de textos didático-pedagógicos, à problematização de suas práticas e concepções pedagógicas e foram estimulados a pensar mudanças à luz do referencial teórico que assimilavam. Nestas atividades, os docentes partiram de discursos difusos e, progressivamente, incorporaram as novas idéias didático-pedagógicas na forma de uma compreensão mais sistemática dos fenômenos envolvidos em suas atividades pedagógicas. Como resultado, assumiram maior responsabilidade pela melhoria dos resultados acadêmicos de seus alunos. A formação teórica foi encerrada com sua avaliação pelos docentes, ao que se seguiu a fase prática da formação. No início de outro semestre, cada docente elaborou, sob orientação, um projeto de intervenção contendo a problemática, objetivos, atividades a serem realizadas e bibliografia. Durante três meses, as intervenções foram realizadas e em seguida os resultados obtidos foram apresentados, por cada docente, em um relatório final. Os docentes realizaram intervenções que refletiam suas experiências e motivações pedagógicas. Os relatórios demonstraram que muitos dos conceitos apreendidos foram efetivamente utilizados na reconfiguração da ação docente. Em maior ou menor intensidade, todos os docentes que chegaram ao final da formação foram capazes de utilizar um ou mais princípios da teoria do Pensamento Complexo em suas intervenções. Por fim, a formação prática foi avaliada pelos docentes

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T16:28:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ADRIANA_RAMOS.pdf: 2307727 bytes, checksum: 425a64c60e9491e4ca27b7127e24fd0b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-09 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Inserted into the research line Society, Knowledge and Education, of the Program of Master in Education from UNIOESTE Campus Francisco Beltrão, in Brazil; this research is included in the debate on labor, education and the teaching of engineering. Through this investigation, we sought to uncover the relationship between epistemology and the conception of teaching-learning from authors of scientific papers published in the annals of COBENGE 2012; in detail those which address teaching and learning of engineering. Through the research, we specifically aimed to: a) understand the teaching of engineering in the context of productive restructuring of the capitalism; b) investigate and analyze the relationship between epistemology and the conception of teaching and learning present in papers published in the annals of COBENGE 2012; c) contribute with discussions concerning the teaching of engineering from the epistemology of the dialectical-historical materialism. We started from the hypothesis that, in an attempt to overcome the traditional pedagogy, teaching in undergraduate courses of engineering would be wavering between the positivist technical rationality and the postmodern practical rationality. Thus, the teachings, by professors, of scientific, abstract concepts from formal logic, have been giving its way to constructive activities of the learners, from empirical situations that favor the development of cognitive, flexible and adaptive competences of individuals to the reality. From such assumption, it is understood that the teaching of engineering would not go through the dialectic-historical logic, which is based on the teaching of concrete. Bibliographic methodology with analysis of contents was applied in this research; in compliance with the explanations of Gil (2002) and Bardin (1977). The theoretical and methodological basis of the research is in accordance with the dialectical and historical materialism, since such method provides theoretical elements that make it possible to understand the contradictions between work, education and the teaching of engineering, and contributes to the discussion and the understanding of new possibilities regarding the formation of engineers. The present work is organized into three parts: the first part presents a discussion over the teaching of engineering in the context of productive restructuring of the capitalism, focusing on the implications of such context over the shift of professional profiles at the postmodernity; it also debates the emergence of the ideology of the end of work society and the upcoming of the knowledge society and with it the emergence of the practical rationality paradigm; the resumption of the motto "learning to learn" and the theory of Jean Piaget in postmodern educational ideas; and also the influence of these theories on official education documents such as the National Curriculum Guidelines for undergraduate degree in engineering. The second part presents an analysis of the annals of COBENGE 2012, over the relationship between epistemology and conceptions of teaching and learning of authors of scientific articles published in that edition of the congress. The third part presents the epistemology of dialectical historical materialism as a way to elicit reflections on the teaching of engineering based on that epistemological paradigm. / Inserida na linha de pesquisa Sociedade, Conhecimento e Educação, do Mestrado em Educação da UNIOESTE - Francisco Beltrão, esta pesquisa inclui-se no debate sobre trabalho, educação e ensino de engenharia. Por meio desta investigação, buscou-se desvelar a relação entre epistemologia e concepção de ensino-aprendizagem dos autores dos artigos científicos publicados nos anais do COBENGE 2012, que abordam o tema ensino-aprendizagem de engenharia. Objetivou-se, especificamente, por meio da pesquisa: a) compreender o ensino de engenharia no contexto de reestruturação produtiva do capitalismo; b) investigar e analisar a relação entre epistemologia e concepção de ensino-aprendizagem no conteúdo dos artigos científicos publicados nos anais do COBENGE 2012; c) contribuir com a discussão sobre o ensino de engenharia a partir da epistemologia do materialismo histórico-dialético. Partiu-se da hipótese de que, na tentativa de superação da pedagogia tradicional, o ensino nos cursos de graduação em engenharia estaria oscilando da racionalidade técnica positivista à racionalidade prática pós-moderna. Dessa forma, o ensino por parte do professor, de conceitos científicos, abstratos, da lógica formal, tem dado lugar às atividades construtivas dos alunos, a partir de situações empíricas que privilegiem o desenvolvimento de competências cognitivas, flexíveis e adaptativas dos indivíduos à realidade. A partir desse pressuposto, entende-se que o ensino de engenharia não passaria pela lógica dialética histórica, que tem por base o ensino do concreto. A metodologia de pesquisa aplicada nesta investigação é bibliográfica com análise de conteúdo e está em conformidade com as explicações de Gil (2002) e Bardin (1977). O fundamento teórico-metodológico da pesquisa está de acordo com o materialismo histórico-dialético, por entender que este método fornece elementos teóricos que possibilitam compreender as contradições existentes entre o trabalho, a educação e o ensino de engenharia, além de contribuir para a discussão e compreensão de novas possibilidades para a formação de engenheiros. Esta pesquisa está organizada em três partes: na primeira parte, é apresentada uma discussão sobre o ensino de engenharia no contexto de reestruturação produtiva do capitalismo, destacando-se as implicações desse contexto na mudança dos perfis profissionais na pós-modernidade; o surgimento da ideologia do fim da sociedade do trabalho e ascensão da sociedade do conhecimento e com ela o surgimento do Paradigma da racionalidade prática; a retomada do lema aprender a aprender e da teoria de Jean Piaget no ideário educacional pós-moderno; e, ainda, as influências dessas teorias em documentos oficiais da educação como as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do curso de graduação em engenharia. Na segunda parte, apresenta-se uma análise realizada dos anais do COBENGE 2012, sobre a relação entre epistemologia e as concepções de ensino-aprendizagem dos autores dos artigos científicos publicados na supracitada edição do congresso. Na terceira parte, apresenta-se a epistemologia do materialismo histórico-dialético como forma de suscitar reflexões acerca do ensino de engenharia com base nesse paradigma epistemológico.