Bildung and identity development in engineering education

What does it mean to study engineering and become an engineer? Combining concepts of Bildung and sociocultural learning theories, this chapter highlights the importance of identity construction. An analytical model is developed to understand the concept of identity in the learning process within a social context. The analysis of empirical data shows that studying engineering involves not only the mastery of scientific knowledge and technical skills, but also learning the language, established practices, beliefs, values, and norms in the engineering culture, and learning to become an engineer. This learning process is also a mutually constructing process between individuals and contexts. This learning process leads to changes in both individuals and communities.