Teaching The "How" Of Engineering Innovation

innovation.By adopting a framework, engineering educators and researchers will be able to credibly compare research methods, results, definitions, requirements, methods and tools as well as develop learning paths, performance metrics and, later, standards for individuals, teams and professional organizations.Ultimately, both engineering researchers and practitioners will use this framework to clearly communicate with one another and under gird their work with innovative systems, methods and tools.This paper discusses fundamental areas of know-how that include self-awareness, group understanding and common languages -all factors that engender trust within social networks.Each area defines the primary problem, provides a brief set of early solutions, and then describes possible tools for duplication or extension at other universities.However, this paper presents only a subset within a greater framework of engineering know-how, an area of study that remains available for further definition and illumination. AREAS OF KNOW-HOWBritish historian James Burke spoke about a "web of knowledge" that emerges from group interaction during innovation development:Innovation is often surprising and unexpected because the process by which new ideas emerge is serendipitous and interactive….Interlocking threads of ideas, people and events are woven into a web of knowledge and -bingo -we get today's world of science and technology.