Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset Using the KEEN Framework for a Digital Communication System Course

摘要

The College of Engineering (CoE) is using the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network (KEEN) model to develop an entrepreneurial mindset while meeting technical objectives in a digital communication course. The authors attended a three and one-half day meeting called the Integrating Curriculum with Entrepreneurial-Mindset (ICE) Workshop to help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset. During the workshop, the authors developed a set of learning modules focused using KEEN's model. The student must deliver a presentation and a written report focused on the entrepreneurial mindset for a digital communication course, identified as EE 463. Several Entrepreneurial-Minded Learning (EML) activities prepared students for the research project and report. Although the senior and adult students were exposed for the first-time to the KEEN framework, they performed tasks to foster an entrepreneurial mindset based on the following topics covered in six of the eleven weeks: Internet of Things, Light Fidelity (LiFi), Deep Learning/Artificial Intelligence, Smart Everything (Smart Cities, Smart/Driverless Cars, etc.), Bitcoin/Block Chain Technology, and 5G and Enabling Technologies. Each student must summarize their findings in a discussion board for the assigned topic and make at least one connection of a communication system concept studied in class. Their discussion must also include either a business opportunity/business model, economic or social implication. Each student was asked to develop a discussion question to lead a 10-15 minute discussion for the next lesson. The discussion boards are intended to prepare the students for doing the research paper and presentation. An end of course survey and student feedback are presented.