Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Roy T.R. McGrann

Assessing the Effectiveness of a Mechanical Engineering Computer-Aided Design Course Roy T.R. McGrann Mechanical Engineering Department Binghamton UniversityAbstractOne ABET requirement is assessment and demonstration of course improvements based on thatassessment. An assessment procedure that was developed for a Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE)course is presented in this paper.The primary objective of the CAE course is to educate students in engineering design. In the course,the benefits and limitations of computer-aided engineering design and software are emphasized. Apopular engineering

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Peter Thomas Tkacik

Racing to Learn Engineering Dr. Peter Thomas Tkacik, Asst. Professor The University of North Carolina at CharlotteAbstractStudents are encouraged to drive a race car in order to learn more about the job of a MotorsportsEngineer. Mechanical Engineering students at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte can focus ona new Motorsports program which emphasizes skills in the area of the large and growing motorsportsindustry. In one particular course, Motorsports Instrumentation, the classroom extends to the engineshop, the race shop, and the race track.Students analyze the requirements of the instrumentation, install video and dozens of sensors on the

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Saikat Ray

Computer Based Testing to Enhance Effective Teaching of International M.S. Students in Teaching-oriented Schools Saikat Ray Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering University of Bridgeport saikatr@bridgeport.eduAbstract  Several teaching-oriented universities in the U.S.A. cater to a large number of engineeringM.S. degree seeking international students. In their home countries, many of these students undergo anexamination-oriented education system where studying intensely just before the examination is asrewarding as studying throughout the year. As a result, these students are

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Bahram Nassersharif

Discovery-Based Learning Engineering Classroom Bahram Nassersharif, Ph.D. Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics University of Rhode IslandAbstractEngineering design, optimization, and analysis practice in the 21st century is performed using complexcomputer models and graphical visualization of the results. Engineering education must also incorporateteaching and use of computer models for enhancing the depth and breadth of student learning. Today, weuse a computer center to provide access to computers and educate engineering students to understand andapply engineering software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Matlab, and Ansys

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Finite Element Method - A Tool for Learning Runway DesignAbstractA computer program was developed by idealizing flexible pavement into a finite element continuum. Alayered pavement was idealized as an axisymmetric solid with finite boundaries in both radial and axialdirections. The axisymmetric body was then divided into a set of ring elements, rectangular in section andconnected along their nodal circles. Because of symmetry, the three-dimensional problem reduces to atwo dimensional case. The program is capable of handling changes of material properties such asResilient Modulus and Poisson’s Ratio in both vertical and horizontal directions. Several other elasticmultilayered

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

R. Radharamanan; Ha Van Vo

CAD/CAM and Robotics Applications in Laboratory-Learning Environment R. Radharamanan and Ha Van Vo School of Engineering, Mercer University, Macon, GA 31207-0001, USAAbstractIn this paper, how the design/automation hardware and software and manufacturing laboratory facilitiesare effectively integrated to teach Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing(CAM), CAD/CAM integration, and robotics with appropriate hands-on experiences in the Biomedical,Mechanical, and Industrial Engineering Programs are presented and discussed. A typical CAD moduledeveloped and taught in Biomedical Engineering includes the use of patient-specific 2D

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Richard B. Mindek

-learn fundamental PLC operation. The purpose of this paper to describe the work recentlycompleted in this area at Western New England College, report on the use of the platform at the graduatelevel, as well as present future plans to incorporate it within the undergraduate engineering curriculum.2.0 Basic Components of the PLC PlatformIn order to give students an opportunity to experience how computer automation and control isaccomplished in a manufacturing environment, a demonstration apparatus was built containing actuationand sensing devices, a computer interface, feedback control, and an Allen Bradley MicroLogix 1500programmable logic controller. This platform can be utilized by the instructor in a classroomenvironment for demonstration

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Dean Aslam; Aixia Shao

Nanotechnology Learning Modules Using Technology Assisted Science, Engineering and Mathematics Dean Aslam and Aixia Shao Micro and Nano Technology Laboratory, Electrical and Computer Engineering Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824 aslam@msu.eduAbstract Technology Assisted Science, Engineering and Mathematics (TASEM) focuses on innovative use oftechnology to explain new and complicated concepts rather than on education research. The explanationof nanotechnology is challenging because nano-dimensions require high-magnification electronmicroscopes to see them. Hand-on learning modules are difficult if

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Imin Kao

Using Video Podcast to Enhance Students’ Learning Experience in Engineering Imin Kao Department of Mechanical Engineering State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook Stony Brook, NY 11794-2200 Corresponding author: imin.kao@sunysb.eduAbstractThe students and faculty today have available to them many technologies that did not exist adecade ago. Such technologies can be great tools for the delivery of course contents to enhancestudents’ learning experience. In this presentation, podcast is employed as an asynchronousonline tool in engineering courses to record lectures and supplementary materials

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Paul G. Ranky

Case-based Learning Methods with 3D Interactive Multimedia for Millennial Generation Engineering Students by Paul G. Ranky, PhD Full Tenured Professor, Registered and Chart. Professional Engineer, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, NCE, and the NJIT IT Program, NJIT, Newark, NJ 07102 Email: ranky@njit.eduAbstractMillennial generation students are interested in an integrated, simultaneouslyanalytical, computational, interactive, as well as practical, real

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Robin K. Burk

Project-Based Team Learning: Teaching Systems Engineering When the Data are Sparse Robin K. Burk U.S. Military AcademyABSTRACT: Undergraduate systems engineering courses face several challenges, including the need toprovide students with integrative projects which present sufficient depth and complexity while beingscoped for execution within a one or two semester course.This paper describes the results of providing students with challenging real-world analysis projectsdespite the sparse availability of established technical and operating data. Sixteen teams werepresented with projects regarding evaluation of advanced

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Linda Ann Riley; Charles Thomas

support the goals of the PRIMES grant, commit to working 36 days over the course of theyear with middle and high school teachers on their respective classroom and professional developmentplans. In addition faculty members serve as liaisons back to the University with respect to facilitating on-campus experiences for the schools and transferring what was learned as a result of the PRIMESinteraction at the middle and high schools to University faculty.An interesting component of the Rhode Island PRIMES grant was the incorporation of computer 3-Dmodeling requirement placed on programs developed under the PRIMES initiative. Specifically, thesimulation software package Pro-Engineer (PTC, Needham, MA) was selected by the RIDE, and madeavailable in the

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Diana Schwerha; Chang Liu; Sertac Ozercan; Tripura Vadlamani; Lev Neiman

. Chang Liu is an Assistant Professor with the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science,a unit of Russ College of Engineering and Technology at Ohio University. Chang obtained his doctoraldegree from the Department of Information & Computer Science at the University of California at Irvine.Chang is the founding director of the VITAL (Virtual Immersive Technologies and Arts for Learning)Lab at Ohio University. Since he joined Ohio University, Chang has published about thirty refereedpapers and won over twenty grants totaling over three million dollars. Sponsors of Chang's projectsinclude the National Science Foundation, Ohio EPA, U.S. EPA, Ohio Learning Network, ACM SIGCSE,and Filene Research Institute.Ozercan is a master's

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Anthony Manno; Kamal Shahrabi

/computers in society course to meet a scienceelective in their general education requirement. They would not only learn howtechnology is used in society, but it might also spark enough of an interest in somestudents where they might want to purse that as a career or take additional courses in it.How it got started:The Technology Department at Kean University developed a course called Technologyand Information Systems in Modern Society that would expose students to howtechnology impacts all that they do in their daily lives. Representatives from theTechnology Department then proceeded to educate the decision makers in the liberal artsdepartments that it would be in their students’ best interest to be exposed to howtechnology will impact them in

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Bassem Alhalabi; M.K. Hamza; Ali Abu-El Humos

were fardistant from constructing real experimentations online. Such a lack of real experimentation-- over theInternet, gave birth to an authentic rise beyond the restrictions of the antiquated virtual laboratories [4-7].The birth of Remote Labs Environment (RLE) at the Centre of Advanced Distance Education Technologies(CADET), a few years ago, carries with it a world of possibilities and pioneering computing technologies.Therefore, this article conducts a survey of students’ perception of on-line (virtual) labs and in comparisonto real labs. The results are analyzed and discussed to put forth an opportunity to learn about a newtechnology that might change how students conduct experiments, virtually.Keywords: Remote Labs, Distance Lab

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Dean M. Aslam; Zongliang Cao; Cyrous Rostamzadeh

Innovative Engineering Education Using Programmable Lego Robotic VD Graaf Generators Dean M. Aslam, Zongliang Cao and Cyrous Rostamzadeh* Micro and Nano Technology Laboratory, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824 * Robert Bosch LLC, EMC Department, Plymouth, MI 48170. aslam@msu.eduAbstract The Technology Assisted Science, Engineering and Mathematics (TASEM) learning, with majorfocus on innovations in the use of technology to explain new and complicated concepts rather than oneducation research, goes far beyond the

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Ryan A. Ebel; Donald S. Abbott-McCune; David Chang

example of an open-ended autonomousunmanned ground vehicle (AUGV) project that has been developed in support of the undergraduatemechatronics course at USMA. This is a one-semester course that culminates in a project that occupiesthe student's in class, laboratory, and at home assignments for the last five weeks of the quarter. The paperwill present the design, development and pedagogy of the project.I. Introduction Robotics is a new track developed in the Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceDepartment at the United States Military Academy. The track is offering a new culminating courseMechatronics. The course is also the foundation of the Mechanical Engineering Robotics track. The goalof this course is to produce engineers capable

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Programming to MusicAbstract:Do college freshman perform better listening to music of their choice during graded computerprogramming labs? Previous studies of workplace productivity indicate an increase of about 5%after background music systems have been installed. Music seems to boost enthusiasm, increaserelaxation and lessen nervousness and as a result, the elevated mood contributes to higherproductivity[6]. Can music have this same effect in the classroom? A study was conducted oncollege freshman to determine the effects music had on learning Java programming. Thehypothesis of the study was that students who listened to music of their choice would performbetter on graded programming labs than those

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Assessing the Impact of New Teaching Methods by Predicting Student PerformanceAbstractMany teachers try new things in the classroom with the intent of making learning more effective.In most cases, assessment of the impact is anecdotal; the teacher surveys the students about thenew technique and draws conclusions based on their feedback. In order to more definitivelyprove the impact, better assessment tools are needed. In a recent study, the authors attempted topredict performance in a course and then measure the improvement due to a major change in theavailable resources for study outside the classroom in our fundamentals of engineering course.To measure the effectiveness, we used the GPA of the students at the start of the semester

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

David I. Schwartz

discrete andcontinuous mathematics, thus applying introductory concepts learned by students. In fact, studies ofscoring functions already occur in computational analysis, e.g., computational genomics along and otherdata-intensive fields4.A score can rate player progress, measuring a rudimentary state of a game. A score can therefore reducean extremely complex system into a simpler computational model. In this paper, Sections 2 and 3 developmathematical definitions of points, scores, and game state. Then, Section 4 applies scoring functions togame design and analysis, demonstrating a variety of mathematical and computational applications foreducation. This work offers a possible avenue for engineering mathematics and engineering educatorslooking

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Materials”, Proceeding, 34th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, October 20044 Philpot, Timothy A., et al, “Is There a Better Way to Present an Example Problem?”, ASEE Annual ConferenceProceedings, 20035 Philpot, Timothy A., et al, “Interactive Learning Tools: Animating Mechanics of Materials”, ASEE AnnualConference Proceedings, 20026 http://web.umr.edu/~mecmovie/index.html.7 Cooke, Harry G., “Impact of Computer-based MecMovies on Student Learning in an Applied Mechanics ofMaterials Course”, 37th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 20078 Fuentes, A. and Crown, Stephen, “Improving Conceptual Learning in Mechanics of Materials by Using Web-Based Games and the Involvement of Students in the Game Design Process”, ASEE Paper # AC

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Ismail I. Orabi

Engineering. He haspublished over 25 technical articles in refereed journals and conference proceedings. His researchinterests include theoretical and computational investigation in the area of mechanical vibrations anddynamic systems and control. Professor Orabi has taught courses in both undergraduate and graduatelevel Mechanical Vibrations and Multimedia Engineering Analysis, and undergraduate levelthermodynamics, Measurement Systems, Engineering Mechanics and Introduction to Engineering. Oneof Professor Orabi's most recent projects involves the development of Learning Modules on the web.These modules provide information, not only about particular course material, but also about moregeneral topics relevant to engineering. He is also working on

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Robert M. Brooks; Soumitra Basu; Shriram Pillapakkam; Kurosh Darvish; Keerthi V. Takkalapelli

The Effect of Incorporation of Empowerment Projects on Student Performance in a Civil Engineering CourseDr. Robert M. Brooks, Dr. Soumitra Basu, Dr. Shriram Pillapakkam, Dr. Kurosh Darvish, Keerthi V.Takkalapelli College of Engineering Temple University Philadelphia, PAAbstractIn this paper, student empowerment was utilized as a tool in design, discovery, and learning. Theprimary objective of this study is to provide adequate learning experience for the student withinthe scope of the syllabus for the course. In this study, a courses repeated over four years (onceevery year) was considered

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Jennifer Zirnheld; Adam Halstead

paper will discussthe advantages and disadvantages of each technique as well as what we have learned by introducingmethodical changes in these techniques over the past several years.IntroductionMany first year engineering students face the dilemma of choosing which engineering discipline fits hisor her interests and career goals the best. Because of this, it is common for engineering schools to have acourse early in the curriculum to introduce engineering students to each of the engineering disciplines.The choice of engineering discipline can have a very important effect on the futures of these students.This poses a daunting task to the instructors of these courses: How does one portray as many disciplinesas possible in an unbiased fashion, and

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Ali Setoodehnia; Kamal Shahrabi; Anthony Manno

How to Improve Student’s Retention Rate in Science and Technology Dr. Ali Setoodehnia Chair, School of Electronics and Computers ITT-TECH, Woburn MA asetoodehnia@itt-tech.edu Dr. Kamal Shahrabi Dean, School of Engineering Technologies Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, NY kamal.shahrabi@farmingdale.edu Anthony Manno Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department Kean University, Union, NJ

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

David J. Palazzo; Chad C. Schools

visualization of mechanical phenomenon, and the ability toeffortlessly analyze instructor demonstrations. When applied to the curriculum of a traditional laboratoryprogram, these advantages should translate into an exportable, flexible, and independent platform. Ineffect becoming a cyber laboratory that can travel with the student, requiring only a laptop computer, adigital video camera, and a student’s initiative to operate. By exporting the analysis of mechanicalphenomena to the student’s domain, we attempt to bridge the most important gap in science education:connecting the classroom to the dorm room, while encouraging student’s to analyze everyday phenomenathat might otherwise go unexplored. Applications are endless, and limited only by the

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Andrew Grossfield

many people in their childhood learned to believe thatmathematics is mostly arithmetic or algebraic computations, and in the end punishment results frommaking mistakes or not being capable enough to either remember the procedures or solve the problems.In today’s world, calculators and computers can do the drudgery that both non-mathematicians andmathematicians alike would rather avoid. A noble goal would be to teach students to seek understandingof the processes, whether biological, technical, economical, social, mathematical etc. that are evolvingaround them. It may well be that there is little connection between the ability to memorize theauthoritarian rules and procedures of mathematics and the ability to question and wonder, why and

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Arthur Heinricher; Brian Savilonis; David Spanagel; Robert Traver; Kristin Wobbe

-year offerings defined by problems not disciplines.They do not start with a list of topics to cover. They are interdisciplinary, not multidisciplinary.They are not designed to provide a survey of fundamental engineering concepts or an overview ofhow science and engineering disciplines could address real problems. They start with greatproblems and the students learn that there is no single solution, that no one discipline could1 Associate Dean for First-year Programs, heinrich@wpi.edu2 Mechanical Engineering Department, bjs@wpi.edu3 Humanities and Arts Department, spanagel@wpi.edu4 Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI, rtraver@wpi.edu5 Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, WPI, kwobbe@wpi.edu

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Adam J. Czekanski; David-Michael P. Roux

evaluation. They provide immediate accuratefeedback of student comprehension that enables the instructor to modify lesson material accordingly.Key words: clickers, retention, evaluationIntroductionAccurately assessing student comprehension of material in the classroom has always been a challenge foreducators. Methods historically used by instructors have included calling on a broad range of students toanswer questions, having the entire class answer questions through visible means, or using volunteers1.Although these methods have merit in moving toward a more active classroom learning environment,they all fail to truly give the instructor an accurate picture of how well or how poorly all students havegrasped recently taught concepts. This downfall

Collection

2008 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Junichi Kanai

for managing project related informationsince the spring of 2005. Learning to use the tool effectively also contributes to ABET’s programoutcome (k): (k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.3 1In this paper, we present our experience in selecting and deploying the MDL Projects Forum, a web-baseddiscussion board, and ways to use the system for enhancing the course work and assessing students’performance.Choosing a SystemSince each university has a unique set of computer/network policies and support capabilities, there is noready made recommendation that