what color is your lab coat: science white or technology blue?

14 November 2002 AECT 2002

What Color Is Your Lab What Color Is Your Lab Coat: Science White or Coat: Science White or

Technology Blue?Technology Blue?

Andrew S. GibbonsAndrew S. GibbonsUtah State UniversityUtah State University

Chapter 1: The Graduate DeanChapter 1: The Graduate Dean

Dissertation reviewsDissertation reviews Trouble with College of EngineeringTrouble with College of Engineering Couldn’t pinpoint concernCouldn’t pinpoint concern Sent back one study, asking moreSent back one study, asking more ““Didn’t fit the mold of scientific Didn’t fit the mold of scientific

study”study” ““It’s circling the earth now”It’s circling the earth now”

Troubled Fit of Curriculums in the UTroubled Fit of Curriculums in the U

Difficulty of Soft SciencesDifficulty of Soft Sciences Sociology, Anthropology, PsychologySociology, Anthropology, Psychology

Difficulty of Trade or Skilled FieldsDifficulty of Trade or Skilled Fields Instructional Tech, Law, MedicineInstructional Tech, Law, Medicine

Difficulty of Commercial ArtsDifficulty of Commercial Arts Business, Economics, Law, MedicineBusiness, Economics, Law, Medicine

Difficulty of Arts and HumanitiesDifficulty of Arts and Humanities Art, Music, Drama, (Landscape) Art, Music, Drama, (Landscape)

ArchitectureArchitecture

““Distancing” certain degreesDistancing” certain degrees

Interdisciplinary snobbery based on Interdisciplinary snobbery based on the quality of their “science”the quality of their “science”

Walter VincentiWalter Vincenti

Book Title: Book Title:

What Engineers Know What Engineers Know

and How They Know Itand How They Know It

Chapter 2: The Greenie Chapter 2: The Greenie

Coming to U from industryComing to U from industry What is an acceptable dissertation?What is an acceptable dissertation? Do technologists produce Do technologists produce

knowledge?knowledge? Do they have theory?Do they have theory? What is the nature of the knowledge?What is the nature of the knowledge? What is the nature of the theory?What is the nature of the theory? How are they warranted? Argued?How are they warranted? Argued?

The Theory Issue TodayThe Theory Issue Today

BrunerBruner ReigeluthReigeluth Proliferation of theoriesProliferation of theories

Science has enjoyed 200 years of Science has enjoyed 200 years of public debate on its foundations of public debate on its foundations of theory—technology just 50 at mosttheory—technology just 50 at most

Yet our expectations of theory will Yet our expectations of theory will shape our research agendashape our research agenda

Could We Be Science Mimics?Could We Be Science Mimics?

Evidence:Evidence:

1.1. Seeking the “right” or “best” Seeking the “right” or “best” asnwerasnwer

2.2. Expecting direct theory conversion Expecting direct theory conversion from sciencefrom science

3.3. Confusion of research agendaConfusion of research agenda

4.4. Uncertain standard of knowledge Uncertain standard of knowledge warrantswarrants

Herbert SimonHerbert Simon

Book:Book:

Sciences of the ArtificialSciences of the Artificial

RoundtableRoundtable

““Top 10 List”, Answers to the Top 10 List”, Answers to the Question:Question:

““What Difference Does It Make What Difference Does It Make Whether Our Students See Whether Our Students See

Themselves primarily as Scientists or Themselves primarily as Scientists or Primarily as Technologists?”Primarily as Technologists?”