Using the Web to invite the local community into the engineering classroom

This paper describes the use of the Web casting in a new engineering program that started in Fall 2004 at East Carolina University. The program presents a unique design synthesis of concentration areas required to enhance regional economic development and the best practices identified from the work of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Education Coalition (EEC) program. The paper presents how the Web is used to invite and to link the local community and the local industry to the program through the University´s Global Classroom and how the contemporary educational technology, with computer-based methods of delivering courses are used to supplement traditional lectures. Special emphasis will be given to the students´ design projects with the local industries. Detailed description of the program and the projects is presented in this paper