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Software Applications and Pedagogical Strategies for Improving Student Understanding of Structural Analysis and Dynamics (Works-In-Progress)

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

June 26, 2024

Conference Session

Civil Engineering Division (CIVIL) Technical Session - Instructional Technology 2

Tagged Division

Civil Engineering Division (CIVIL)

Page Count

7

DOI

10.18260/1-2--47985

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/47985

Download Count

64

Paper Authors

biography

Tamecia R. Jones North Carolina State University at Raleigh Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-4229-3975

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Tamecia Jones is an assistant professor in the STEM Education Department at North Carolina State University College of Education with a research focus on K-12 engineering education, assessment, and informal and formal learning environments. In addition to the K-12 space, she conducts engineering learning research in undergraduate engineering. She is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Boston University, and Purdue University.

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Kevin Han North Carolina State University at Raleigh Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-2995-8381

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Abstract

Civil and structural engineering students often have challenges with conceptual understanding of structural analysis and dynamics. Historically, students have done problem sets with images of scenarios until they had an opportunity to visit sites where models and structures have been built for testing. Students need better tools for improving conceptual understanding of support reactions, axial forces for trusses, and shear and moments for beams via active-learning instructional activities.

This project goal was develop, test, and refine new SCPS tools using design-based implementation research (DBIR). The research question highlighted is: How does SCPS affect student ability to sense and predict CBE problem solutions? We use items from concept inventories [Force Concept Inventory(Caballero et al., 2012) and Statics Concept Inventory(Steif & Dantzler, 2005)] to gauge growth in student understanding of explicit concepts. The assessment plan includes establishing baseline data of student understanding and comparing it over time to student scores on homework and final exams.

This paper describes the development of a web application that helps students move from paper and pencil problem sets to learning experiences involving simulations and presents the findings from the user studies to revise the application. We will also describe how we changed the courses to integrate the software, initial lessons learned from students using the application for homework, and offer a mini-class-demo if time permits.

Jones, T. R., & Han, K. (2024, June), Software Applications and Pedagogical Strategies for Improving Student Understanding of Structural Analysis and Dynamics (Works-In-Progress) Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--47985

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