Kurt Becker PhD
Engineering Education
Professor
Contact Information
Office Location: ENGR 405CPhone: 435-797-2076
Email: kurt.becker@usu.edu
Additional Information:
Educational Background
Biography
Kurt Becker is a Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Utah State University where his research focus includes engineering design thinking, adult learning cognition, engineering education professional development, and technical training. He is currently working on a USAID funded project for the "Center of Excellence in Water" in Egypt, and Department of Education funded GEARUP projects in the area of STEM education related to engineering education. He has extensive international experience working on engineering and technical training projects funded by the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Countries where he has worked include Armenia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Thailand. In addition, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses in engineering education for the department.
Teaching Interests
Engineering Education Pedagogy, Assessment and Evaluation, Computer Aided Documentation (Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, Architecture, Construction)
Research Interests
Engineering design thinking, engineering education professional development and technical training, adult learning cognition
Awards
Graduate Student Mentor of the Year, 2021
Department of Engineering Education
Faculty Researcher of the Year, 2020
Department of Engineering Education
University Service Award, 2018
Department of Engineering Education
Graduate Student Mentor of the Year, 2017
Department of Engineering Education
Researcher of the Year , 2016
Department of Engineering Education
Faculty Service Award, 2015
College of Engineering
Faculty Service Award, 2015
Department of Engineering Education
Advisor of the Year, 2005
Department of Engineering and Technology Education, Utah State University
Researcher of the Year, 2005
Department of Engineering and Technology Education, Utah State University
Teacher of the Year, 2001
Department of Industrial Technology and Education, Utah State University
Advisor of the Year, 2000
College of Engineering, Utah State University
Advisor of the Year, 2000
Department of Industrial Technology and Education, Utah State University
Outstanding Researcher of the Year, 1998
Department of Industrial Technology and Education, Utah State University
Outstanding Young Industrial Technology Teacher of the Year, 1990
Harold Silvius Foundation and The National Association Of Industrial and Technical Teacher Education Association, American Vocational Association
- Becker, K., Hailey, C., Thomas, M., (2008). Chapter 8: Developing Connections in the Engineering Community: Council on Technology Teacher Education Yearbook. Glenco/McGraw-Hill
Publications | Book Chapters
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Journal Articles
Academic Journal
- Mestiraihi, M., Becker, K., Dupont, R.R, Stevens, D.K, (2021). Examining the Preparedness of Water Program Graduates in Egypt: Industries Perspective. Middle East Journal Of Applied Science & Technology, 04:04, 60-74. doi: doi: 10.46431/mejast.2021.4406
- Uziak, J., Oladiran, M., Becker, K., Gizejowski, M., (2020). Assessing Chalk & Talk and Power Point Presentation Techniques for Teaching Engineering Courses. International Journal of Engineering Education,, 37:1, 278-286.
- Almeida, L., Becker, K., Villanueva, I., (2020). Engineering communication in industry and cross-generational challenges: An exploratory study. European Journal of Engineering Education, doi: 10.1080/03043797.2020.1737646
- Uziak, J., Venkata, K., Becker, K., (2019). Students’ Attitude towards Problem-Based Learning: A Case Study. International Journal of Engineering Education, 3:35, 733-743.
- Uziak, J., Oladiran, T., Becker, K., (2018). Students’ and Instructor’s Perspective on the use of Blackboard. The Electronic Journal of e-learning, 16:1, 1-15.
- Uziak, J., Barlow, R., Villanueva, I., Lawanto, O., Becker, K., (2018). Development of an online certificate program in engineering education. International Journal of Engineering Education, 34:5, 1549-1561.
- Uziak, J., Oladiran, T., Lorencowicz, E., Becker, K., (2017). Incorporating General Education Components into an Engineering Curriculum. International Journal of Engineering Education, 33:6A, 1900-1911.
- Fang, N., Lawanto, O., Goodridge, W.H, Villanueva, I., Becker, K., (2016). A Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site Program on Engineering Education Research. International Journal of Engineering Education. Vol. 32(5A), pp. 1836-1846
- Song, T., Becker, K., Gero, J., Deberard, M.S, Lawanto, O., Reeve, E.M, (2016). Problem decomposition and recomposition in engineering design: A comparison of design behavior between professional engineers, engineering seniors, and engineering freshmen.. Journal of Technology Education, 27:2, 37-56.
- Mentzer, N., Becker, K., Sutton, M., (2015). Engineering Design Thinking: High School Students’ Performance and Knowledge. Journal of Engineering Education, 104:4, 417-432.
- Shaobo, H., Mejia, J.A, Becker, K., Neilson, D., (2015). An alternative instructional approach that meets the Next Generation Science Standards. Journal of STEM Education, 16:1, 31-40.
- Santoso, H.B, Lawanto, O., Becker, K., Fang, N., Reeve, E.M, (2014). High and Low Computer Self-Efficacy Groups and Their Learning Behavior from Self-Regulated Learning Perspective While Engaged in Interactive Learning Modules. Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER), 4:2, 11-28. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7771/2157-9288.1093
- Song, T., Becker, K., (2013). Making Recycled Paper: An Engineering Deisgn Challenge . Technology and Engineering Teacher, 72:2, 30-34.
- Lammi, M., Becker, K., (2013). Engineering Design Thinking. Journal of Technology Education, 24:2, 55-77.
- Flanigan, R., Becker, K., Stewardson, G.A, (2012). A contemporary pre-service technology education program. Technology and Engineering Teacher, 72:2, 25-29.
- Becker, K., Park, K., (2011). Integrative approaches among science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects on students’ learning: A meta-analysis. Journal of STEM Education, 12:5&6, 23-37.
- Mentzer, N., Becker, K., (2010). Academic preparedness as a predictor of achievement in an engineering design challenge. Journal of Technology Education, 22:1, 22-42.
- Brewer, D.S, Becker, K., (2010). Online Homework Effectiveness for Underprepared and Repeating College Algebra Students. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 29:4, 353-371.
- Benson, L., Cooper, M., Smith, K., Becker, K., Griffin, H., (2010). Engineering education: Departments, degrees and directions. International Journal of Engineering Education (IJEE) - Special Issue of Journal, 26:5, 1042-1048.
- Mentzer, N., Becker, K., (2009). Motivation while designing in engineering and technology education impacted by academic preparation. Journal of Industrial Teacher Education, 46:3, 90-112.
- Hailey, C., Erekson, T., Becker, K., Thomas, M., (2005). National Center for Engineering and Technology Education. The Technology Teacher, 64:5, 23-26.
- Becker, K., Maunsaiyat, S., (2004). A Comparison of Students’ Achievement and Attitudes Between Constructivist and Traditional Classroom Environments in Thailand Vocational Electronics Programs. Journal of Vocational Education Research, 29:1, 133.
- Becker, K., Stewardson, G.A, (2003). Improving international project success. The Journal of Technical Studies, XXIX:1, 51-59.
- Becker, K., (2002). Constructivism and the use of technology. The Technology Teacher (electronic journal), TTTe
- Becker, K., Maunsaiyat, S., (2002). Development of an attitude and concept scale toward technology in Bangkok, Thailand. Journal of Technology Education, 13:2, 6.
- Becker, K., (1999). Extending instructional reach using technology. Journal of Technology Studies, 25:1, 70.
- Becker, K., Snow, J., (1997). American “KAIZEN” - A perspective on American management theories. Journal of Industrial Technology , 13:1, 9-12.
- Becker, K., (1996). High mileage challenge. UIEA Journal , 11-12.
- Becker, K., (1991). Content and strategies for teaching computer-aided drafting. Journal Of Industrial And Technology Educators, 28:2, 38-46.
- Becker, K., (1988). Organization required for effective integration. Design Graphics World, 12:2, 20-21.
- Becker, K., (1987). Teaching CAD with limited facilities. Industrial Education Magazine, 76:3, 24-26.
- Becker, K., (1985). Incorporating CAD into the curriculum. Industrial Education Magazine, 74:4, 16-18.
Professional Journal
- Singer, E., Becker, K., (2013). A single source management system for lean manufacturing. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 4:1, 83-103.
- Becker, K., (2012). A Contemprary Preservice Technology Education Program. Technology and Engineering Teacher, 72:4, 25 - 29.
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Other
Other
- Becker, K., (2000). A Manual for Developing Quick Start Projects. (USDOL), Poland Workforce Development Project, 2000, Macedonia PriZMa Project, 2000, Bulgaria Workforce Development Project, 2001.
- Becker, K., (2000). A Training Manual for Training Methods for Adult Learners. (USDOL), Romania, Project Pledge, 2000 and Bulgaria Workforce Development Project, 2000.
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.