Active Learning in Mechanical Engineering

Dates

June 2000 — October 2002

Principal Investigators

Professor Mary Boyce (Department of Mechanical Engineering)
Professor Sanjay Sarma (Department of Mechanical Engineering)

Goal

Provide undergraduates in core Mechanical Engineering (MechE) courses with a deeper understanding of course material than they might gain from the lecture alone — through desktop experiments and Web-based learning modules.

Overview

The first goal of the project was to transform course 2.001, Mechanics and Materials I, away from the traditional large lecture format and towards a Scientific Discovery model where students participated actively. The approach was twofold:   desktop experiments were designed to allow students to explore phenomena before they were formally covered in lecture, and a course web site was developed with learning modules for key topics covering the entire material taught in 2.001. Each module was comprised of seven sections:   online lecture, electronic textbook, real-world examples, simulation, online quiz, references, and a case study.

Second, the project developed Web-based components for a new integrated undergraduate subject for teaching thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer (MechE courses 2.005 & 2.006, Thermal-Fluids Engineering I & II). While this project focused on the improvements of residence-based education, the approaches outlined also streamlined the creation of content for distance education. This project also involved the development of desktop experiments that students could conduct in the classroom.

The third goal concerned a mechatronics toolkit for use with laptops. The toolkit would be used in the classroom/laboratory to run experiments and at home to interface with household appliances/items, power tools, toys, workout equipment, etc. The kit included a range of sensors, a data acquisition system, a motion controller, motors, and an easy-to-use software package, allowing users to monitor and control almost anything they desired.

"We believe that the use of laptop computers in education will greatly enhance the quality and efficiency of education. The use of active laptop-based simulation exercises has opened up new avenues for technical discussions between students as well as between students and faculty during class." — Mary Boyce

Project Output

Publications

Bamberg, Sandhu J, E, Boyce MC. Development of Interactive Web-Based Modules in Re-designing an Introductory Solid Mechanics Course, 2nd International Conference in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. June 27-29, 2001, Samos Island, Greece.

Sandhu J, Bamberg E, Boyce MC. Integration of Information Technology into an Introductory Solid Mechanics Course, 2001 ASEE/SEFI/TUB International Colloquium, Berlin. (Conference postponed to 2002 due to circumstances of Sep 2001.)

Sandhu J, Bamberg E, Hong JW, Boyce MC. Active Engagement Pedagogy for an Introductory Solid Mechanics Course, 2002 ASEE International Colloquium, Montreal.

On Developments in Interactive Web-based Learning Modules in a Thermal-Fluids Engineering Course, Ozer T, Kenworthy M, Brisson JG, Cravalho EG, McKinley GH. International Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 305-315, 2003.View

On Developments in Interactive Web-based Learning Modules in a Thermal-fluids Engineering Course: Part II, T. Ozer and E. G. Cravalho. International Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 20, No.5, pp. 849-860, 2004. View

Presentations

Technology Enabled Teaching Tools. Presentation at the 2nd International Conference in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, June 28, Samos Island, Greece.

Teaching Mechanical Engineering in 2.008. Presentation to the MIT Council on Educational Technology, December 2001, MIT.

Technology Enabled Teaching Tools in 2.001. Presentation to the Visiting Committee at MIT, May 2002.

Links