Research
Analogical Reasoning in the Engineering Design Process and Technology Education Applications
Authors:
Jenny Daugherty ,
University of Illinois, US
About Jenny
Doctoral Fellow affiliated with the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (www.ncete.org) at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
Nathan Mentzer
Utah State University, US
About Nathan
Doctoral Fellow affiliated with the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (www.ncete.org) at Utah State University.
Abstract
This synthesis paper discusses the research exploring analogical reasoning, the role of analogies in the engineering design process, and educational applications for analogical reasoning. Researchers have discovered that analogical reasoning is often a fundamental cognitive tool in design problem solving. Regarding the possible role of analogical reasoning in the context of technology education; analogies may be a useful tool to develop student’s design skills, teach abstract or complex concepts, and build students’ analogical reasoning skills for general problem solving. The positive and negative educational implications of analogical reasoning being explored by researchers are also discussed.
How to Cite:
Daugherty, J., & Mentzer, N. (2008). Analogical Reasoning in the Engineering Design Process and Technology Education Applications. Journal of Technology Education, 19(2), 7–21. DOI: http://doi.org/10.21061/jte.v19i2.a.1
Published on
22 Mar 2008.
Peer Reviewed
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