Conference Session

Improving Mechanics of Materials Classes

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Richard Hall; Nancy Hubing; Vikas Yellamraju; Ralph Flori; Timothy Philpot

Page 9.1201.5Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education Session 2468Formative Assessment Experiment for Superposition Instructional SoftwareAdequately assessing the effectiveness of instructional software within the context of an ongoingclass is not a simple proposition. Many factors, both inside and outside of the classroom, affectboth student attitudes (about the course and the subject matter) and student performance onexams. Obvious factors that influence a student’s response to instructional software in aformative

Conference Session

Capstone and Collaborations in Civil Engineering

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Susan Conrad, Portland State University; William A Kitch P.E., Angelo State University; Tori Rhoulac Smith, Howard University; Kenneth W. Lamb P.E. Ph.D, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona; Timothy James Pfeiffer P.E., Foundation Engineering, Inc.

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

course, this does not mean every post-intervention student paper is strong. In fact, it occasionally seems obvious that a student neverlooked at an assigned unit. Nonetheless, the overall results support the hypothesis that targetedwriting materials and direct instruction do improve student writing skills that are important forengineering practice.Table 2. Summary of assessment results No. of courses Assessment Category Results (and levels)1 Genre Analysis (Field 9 courses statistically significant improvement in Observation Memo, (first year, junior effectiveness of rhetorical functions

Collection

1997 Annual Conference

Authors

Barbara Mirel; Atul Prakash; Leslie A. Olsen; Elliot Soloway

Session 3232 Improving Quality in Software Engineering Through Emphasis on Communication Barbara Mirel DePaul University/ University of Michigan Leslie A. Olsen, Atul Prakash, Elliot Soloway University of MichiganAbstractWe will describe the integration of a communication component into a senior-level design coursein software engineering, the structure of the component, and methods for testing its effects. Thegoal is to improve the usability of the software product, to overcome some problems due

Conference Session

Improvements in ECE Circuit Analysis

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alejandro H. Espera Jr, Virginia Tech; Nicole P. Pitterson, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

-based examinations is due to a mismatchbetween teacher expectations and student learning. Since traditional lecturing is the mostcommonly used format for course delivery in electrical circuit courses, teaching and learning ofabstract concepts such as electricity require the use of varied and efficient strategies aimed atencouraging students to engage with the material on a deeper level. In keeping with the need toactively engage the students while helping them understand electric circuits, instructors need tobe creative and effective in their approach to teaching. The purpose of this systematic review isto survey and investigate the current research on evidence-based instructional practices (EBIPs)being done in teaching electrical circuits

Conference Session

Assessment and Continuous Improvement

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John W Blake P.E., Austin Peay State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology Division (ETD)

integration in a required calculus course,followed by additional instruction in an upper level major core course. Students are expected tobe able to find derivatives, including ones requiring use of the chain rule, and to solve integrals,including ones where substitution is necessary. This has been done by hand using printed lists ofrules and lists of integral (anti-derivative) solutions. Over time, student performance has beenless than satisfactory. Efforts made to improve performance have produced disappointingresults.Computer algebra system (CAS) calculators capable of performing symbolic operationsincluding differentiation and integration offered a new option. The author proposed that thedepartment change to an approach based on the use of CAS

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jean-Claude Thomassian, State University of New York, Maritime College; Anoop Desai, Georgia Southern University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

ofElectronics and Network Analysis. It also seeks to present an educational effort to improvestudents’ retention and quality by engaging students in their studies. Our evaluationcomplements other studies on media-based instruction and student engagement. Cohen et al1found that students learned more from such instruction modes compared to conventional modesof instruction. Powell et al2 also explored this topic and found that such instructional modes hadthe effect of raising the GPAs of the students. Furthermore, Chen et al3 found that enhancingstudent engagement is an essential approach for improving student retention, success andoutcomes.A midterm project was assigned where the class was randomly divided by the professor intoseveral groups (3-4

Conference Session

Curriculum Development and Applications

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Keith Fisher, Montana State University; Kevin Cook, Montana State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Design Graphics

of teaching methods; utilizing acombination of simple strategies, with the goals of re-emphasizing the communicationsaspect of engineering graphics, giving students improved tools and techniques fordrawing, modeling, and analysis, and increasing learning and retention of thosetechniques. The individual methods used in combination include: extending the graphicsexposure throughout the first three years of the curriculum, making the courses designproject centered - with the integrated physical production of the projects as an essentialpart of the learning process, adopting a “corporate work environment” in some portionsof the classes, emphasizing the use of reference materials in the design and drawingprocess so that students will learn to be

Conference Session

Freshman Curriculum Development

Collection

2002 Annual Conference

Authors

John Gardner; Harold Ackler; Anthony Paris; Amy Moll

Session 2553 Rethinking First Year Engineering at Boise State: Assessment and Improvement John F. Gardner, Harold D. Ackler, Anthony J. Paris and Amy J. Moll Boise State University Boise, Idaho 83725AbstractBoise State University offers three undergraduate engineering programs, Mechanical,Civil, and Electrical & Computer engineering. The engineering program at Boise Stateis relatively new with its first BS degrees conferred in 1997. Like most engineeringprograms, we offer a 3-credit course to first year engineering students. When theprograms were first conceived

Conference Session

Improving ME instructional laboratories

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mohammad Elahinia, University of Toledo; Constantin Ciocanel, University of Toledo

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

effectiveness of suchmethods in improving the teaching in different engineering disciplines2. The authorsrightfully count the integration of major components, such as learning tools, learningactivities, and learning evaluation, of the course as one of the major aspects of effectiveteaching. They conclude that by a proper combination of these major components one canimprove the students’ learning. Freuler et al. reported on their effort in the College ofEngineering at the Ohio State University where they redeveloped the freshmanengineering casses to a combined course with hands-on laboratory elements3. Teamwork,project management, report writing, and oral presentations were the main parts of thisprogram.Recently, in their research, Smith et al. focused

Conference Session

Supporting the Capstone Experience

Collection

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Kun Zhang P.E., California State University-Chico; Pablo K. Cornejo, California State University-Chico; Chris Fosen, California State University-Chico

Tagged Divisions

Civil Engineering

requirements of technicalwriting. Indirect measurements were conducted using a questionnaire survey in a TransportationEngineering laboratory course. The itemized report scores and survey results show that dataanalysis and interpretation of results are the most challenging sections for students to write.Faculty feedback was ranked by students as the most effective activity to help them improvetechnical writing skills, followed by individual practice and the use of a good writing sample.Additionally, students who initially perceived their writing skills to be weak reported a higherdegree of improvement at the end of the course. Student surveys also affirmed that short writtenassignments moderately improved ABET outcome 6 because the writing process

Conference Session

Industrial Engineering Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lesley Strawderman, Mississippi State University; Shuchisnigdha Deb, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Industrial Engineering

an appreciation ofhow industrial engineering can be applied to improve the community.In this paper, the structure of the service-learning project within the course is detailed.Quantitative and qualitative data from student participants are examined to explore the benefitsof incorporating service-learning into the industrial engineering classroom. Recommendationsfor implementing service-learning in the classroom are also presented.IntroductionThe pedagogy of service-learning is an effective way to connect college students withcommunity partners in an effort to improve local and global communities1. Service-learningprojects is linked with an academic course, and students are able to gain information about theircourse topic while at the same

Conference Session

Programmatic Issues in Physics or Engineering Physics Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeff Jalkio, University of St. Thomas; Arnold Weimerskirch, University of St. Thomas

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

the results of those actions. Finally, at the course level, we haveprocesses to encourage annual improvements in individual courses and to obtain data fromindividual courses for use in the assessment of program educational outcomes. By linking theselevels together we have been able to reduce the faculty workload involved in assessmentactivities while maintaining a high degree of faculty involvement.IntroductionA wide variety of models have been proposed and used for assessing the quality of educationalprograms but much of this work has been performed independent of the large body of researchregarding quality improvement in industrial settings1. While clearly the industrial and academicenvironments differ and each provides unique challenges

Conference Session

Improving Mechanics of Materials Classes

Collection

2002 Annual Conference

Authors

Nick Salamon; Gautam Wagle; Cliff Lissenden

Session 2468 Design Project for Advanced Mechanics of Materials C.J. Lissenden, G.S. Wagle, and N.J. Salamon Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Penn State UniversityAbstractAdvanced mechanics of materials is a broad subject encompassing many topics. However, oftenthere is only room in the curriculum for a single course. Thus, there is a tendency to pack thecourse full of topics, in which case sufficient depth of coverage can be lost. Furthermore, designis at the heart of engineering and demands attention. Advanced mechanics of materials is amajor part of many design problems. In this

Conference Session

ASEE Multimedia Session

Collection

2002 Annual Conference

Authors

Amir Karimi

of the program and to improve student retention and success.Recitation hours have been added to a number of foundation engineering courses having largefailure rates in the past. The implementation of the recitation sessions began in Fall 2000. Therecitation hours have been are conducted in a small classroom setting to help student learnproblem solving techniques and encourage cooperative learning. The enrollment for eachrecitation section is limited to 20-25 students. No new materials are covered in the recitationperiods. Instructors use this time to answer questions, solve example problems, involve studentsin cooperative learning, and introduce application of appropriate computer software. This paperwill analyze student retention and

Conference Session

Statics Fanatics 1

Collection

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adam Powell, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Kimberly Lechasseur, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Sarah Wodin-Schwartz, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

physical implications of implementing technical engineering solutions. Her work with adding context to problems and projects her courses has lead her to receive teaching awards including the Russell M. Searle and Morgan Distinguished Instructorships in Mechanical Engineering, the Romeo L. Moruzzi Young Faculty Award, and the KEEN Rising Star Award. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022 Powered by www.slayte.comASEE 2022 PaperTitle: Improvement in Student Learning Objectives from Group Discussions Between ExamSittings AbstractStudents learn well by correcting their mistakes. Some engineering classes have

Conference Session

Improving Teaching and Learning

Collection

2003 Annual Conference

Authors

Steven Beyerlein; Donald Elger

. Students worked problems. Many of the problems were difficult and unfamiliar to the students. Much of the teaching process involved active learning in a team environment.2. Students were asked to purposefully review their performance. While each review was different, the basic aim was to have students identify (a) what was strong or effective about their problem solving approach, and (b) specific ways to improve their approach.3. Using a variety of methods, students were given individualized feedback on their performances.4. As the course progressed, steps 1 to 3 were repeated in many different contexts.5. To form the initial draft of the operational definition, the collection of student responses was organized into 6 main categories

Conference Session

ET Pedagogy III

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Resmi Krishnankuttyrema, Bowling Green State University; Mikhail Shilov, Bowling Green State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

, andcommands that are used in our courses. We used these videos for instructional purposes in twodifferent engineering technology disciplines: a freshman level course on electronics and asophomore level course on solid modeling.To examine the effectiveness of pre-lab videos, students’ learning outcomes were assessed byconducting lab proficiency exams for the respective courses before and after implementation ofthe videos. We observed improvement in students’ overall performance, a 20-30% reduction inthe time needed to complete labs or tutorials, and the reduction of the knowledge gap asindicated by a narrower grade distribution. In addition, 10-15% more learning material wasdelivered, and the frequency of equipment mishandling was also reduced by 40

Conference Session

Improving Mechanics of Materials Classes

Collection

2002 Annual Conference

Authors

John Wood; Jason Bartolomei; Dave Winebrener; Don Rhymer; Brian Self; Daniel Jensen

theinteractive multimedia courseware. Our assessment indicates the students’ perception of thelearning tool is quite positive. However, there are some notable exceptions to this, which aredetailed in the paper. In addition, our assessment shows that the visual modules did enhanceunderstanding when compared to a traditional lecture format. This paper should provide otherswho are attempting to enhance mechanics courses with important information relevant to theirdevelopment, implementation, and assessment processes.1. IntroductionThe Fundamentals of Mechanics course at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) wasused as a testing ground for assessing the effectiveness of an interactive multimedia coursewaretool called Vis-MoM (for Visual Mechanics of

Collection

2001 Annual Conference

Authors

Amir Karimi

improve the studentretention rate.Table 4 summarizes the statistical data on grade distributions in three introductory mechanicalengineering courses which students often struggle to pass. The rows, indicated by Fall 1994-Summer 2000, represent the grade distributions for the period. This data shows that nearly 50 %of students enrolled in the course have either received grades lower than “C” or withdrawn fromthe class. The data clearly indicates that students have difficulties with these classes. Instructorshave observed that students lack skills for problem solving techniques. Many students havedifficulty applying basis calculus into engineering problem solving.In 1998 a survey was conducted3 to determine student opinion on the effectiveness of

Conference Session

Improving Student Outcomes in Mechanics

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Jennifer E. Holte, University of St. Thomas; Ryan J. Endres, University of St. Thomas; Deborah Besser P.E., University of St. Thomas; Doug Dunston, University of St. Thomas

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

post-course reflective survey for the study. Seven of the 29 studentsconsented to and completed the reflective survey by which students could report whether theyfound the surveys helpful or intrusive. The final survey also asked students to report what typesof classroom activities were most motivating to them and whether they liked the mix ofactivities. (See Appendix for survey questions.)IV FindingsWithin the case study, no one type of classroom activity appeared more effective at motivatingstudents than the others. While active class periods generally increased students’ intrinsicmotivation, they also tended to decrease their identified regulation and increase theiramotivation, as seen in Figure 1. Possible causes for the increase in

Conference Session

Capstone Design Practices

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Zhinan Zhang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Houzhi Liu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Lu Chen, Shanghai JiaoTong University; Yaxin Huang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Jiabin Zhu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Design in Engineering Education

multidimensional ability to integrate domainknowledge and real-world concerns and industry constraints into team projects andindividual research. This model effectively brings students multidimensional engineeringtalents, both professional and technical. The ongoing research focuses on conductingcapstone course based engineering education research, which can support continuouslyimprove the outcome of the course. The quantitative measurement of the capstone designcourse on the improvement of engineering students with multidimensional capabilities isalso our concern.AcknowledgementThe authors thank professor Liwei Wang, and the Teaching Affair Office at School ofMechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University for their supporting in

Conference Session

Improving Student Outcomes in Mechanics

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Ahmad Ghasemloonia P.Eng., University of Calgary; Meera N.K. Singh, University of Calgary

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

learning and retention. Thismay particularly be the case for engineering dynamics, where students are lost in rigid bodydynamics if they have not fully understood the foundational first part of the course, particledynamics. In order to improve student learning, two significant changes were implemented inFall, 2019. Firstly, students were given the ability to write two make up quizzes and one make upmidterm exam. All make up quizzes and exams contained different questions, but were at thesame level of difficulty as the originals. The details of the assessments, rules and constraintssurrounding the reassessments, and a comprehensive evaluation of the effect of thereassessments on student outcomes and student experience are detailed.1.0

Conference Session

Rethinking Engineering Writing

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Steven R Walk, Old Dominion University

Tagged Divisions

Liberal Education/Engineering & Society

through the addition of informal and formal writing opportunitiesin a course, and to improve learning through creative and effective writing assignments.The author received training in Learning through Writing techniques in a series of five day-long workshops offered at his university. As part of a broader education quality improvementcampaign, a program of results reporting and outcomes assessment were put in place, includingpost-workshop coaching and assistance to faculty to adopt the techniques in a course of choice.The author targeted an undergraduate electric power and machines laboratory to assimilateLearning through Writing techniques and utilized the post-workshop guidance opportunitiesto help create an effective experience for

Conference Session

Trends in Mechanical Engineering

Collection

2002 Annual Conference

Authors

Klaus Weinmann; Michele Miller

dimensionalaccuracies and surface finish, effect on material strength, tooling and machinery costs, andproduction rate. By the end of the course, students view each new process through this samefilter. They ask what part strength and accuracy can be achieved. And at what cost and speed.They are able to compare the capabilities of competing processes such as casting, forging, andmachining. They understand how small changes in design geometry or surface fin ish Page 7.646.2specification can significantly improve manufacturability and reduce cost. The last 2-3 weeks of Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference &

Conference Session

Improving Teaching and Learning

Collection

2003 Annual Conference

Authors

Suzanne Balik; Nachiappan Nagappan; Laurie Williams; Julie Petlick; Carol Miller; Miriam Ferzli; Eric Wiebe

Session 2230 Pair Programming in Introductory Programming Labs Eric N. Wiebe, Laurie Williams, Julie Petlick, Nachiappan Nagappan, Suzanne Balik, Carol Miller and Miriam Ferzli NC State University, Raleigh, NCABSTRACT: This project looks at the practice of pair programming as a vehicle for improving thelearning environment in introductory computer science labs, a nearly universal course for all engineeringstudents. Pair programming is a practice in which two programmers work collaboratively at onecomputer, on the same design, algorithm, or code. Prior research indicates

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division (ETD) Technical Session 2

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wei Vian, Purdue University at West Lafayette

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology Division (ETD)

Paper ID #37253Laboratory Experiment for Improving Understanding of Grain RefinementinAluminum CastingsDr. Wei Vian, Purdue University at West Lafayette Dr. Wei Vian is an assistant professor of practice in Purdue University’s School of Engineering Tech- nology at the West Lafayette campus, where she teaches mechanics and materials courses. Her current research focuses on exploring teaching methods to increase student success in the courses she teaches, and past research includes exploring grain refining in aluminum castings. Dr. Vian received her Ph.D. from Purdue University in 2016. ©American

Conference Session

Innovation in Construction Engineering Education II

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kirsten Davis, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Construction

other CM course, whether they are formal prerequisites or not.A one-credit materials and methods lecture was modified, initially to provide more classroomlecture time. All testing during the semester was replaced with short online quizzes within aweb-based course management system. Students were permitted to take each quiz multiple timesuntil they achieved their desired grade. This testing method improved student excitement andmotivation regarding the course material, as well as improving students’ retention ofinformation.This paper presents preliminary results illustrating the effects of repeatable low-stakes quizzingon students motivation and their retention of information in an introductory level materials andmethods course.IntroductionThe

Conference Session

New Engineering Educators Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Vishwas Narayan Bedekar, Middle Tennessee State University; Ahad S. Nasab, Middle Tennessee State University; Walter W. Boles, Middle Tennessee State University

Tagged Divisions

New Engineering Educators

modern technology, course redesign, grade distributions, andpedagogical techniques. The authors also report improved student evaluations and performancedata, and correlate them to the continually improved teaching practices adopted by a new facultymember, who was mentored by a senior faculty member and the department chair. Thepercentage of DFW grades earned by students were improved from 60% for Fall 2013 to 24% inSpring 2014 and further to 8% in Summer 2014. The midsemester feedback and suggestionsreceived from the students are also presented in this paper. The outcomes of this study over aperiod of three semesters emphasize: (1) connecting early with students, (2) using adequatemodern technology to assist classroom teaching, (3) giving timely

Conference Session

Advisory Boards & Program Assessment

Collection

2003 Annual Conference

Authors

Sindee Simon; Theodore Wiesner; Lloyd Heinze

prior to taking the FE exam.In addition, students who obtain a score of 50 % on the mock FE are encouraged to take the FEexam. Over the last two years, Texas Tech has had the highest percentage of engineeringstudents taking the FE exam, coupled with the highest passing rate, of the public institutions inTexas. The Department of Petroleum Engineering's results are even more impressive, with over95 % of graduating seniors passing the FE exam each of the last three years, up from less than 30% in the early 1990s.1Another useful assessment tool is the senior exit interview and student course surveys, both ofwhich are aimed at interrogating teaching and learning effectiveness either for the curriculum asa whole or in particular classes. The course

Conference Session

Improving Mechanics of Materials Classes

Collection

2002 Annual Conference

Authors

Richard Hall; Nancy Hubing; David Oglesby; Vikas Yellamraju; Ralph Flori; Timothy Philpot

materials must seek to actively engage students in the learning process. Well-designed software mayengage students overtly – for example, requiring responses to questions, entering the results of calculations, orprompting for decisions – or indirectly in ways that are more intuitive such as the revealed insight of an expertlyexecuted animation sequence. This paper presents examples of interactive learning tools being developed for themechanics of materials course. These learning tools feature animations, graphics, and interactivity designed toengage and stimulate students, to effectively explain and illustrate course topics, and to build student problem-solving skills. Student reactions to these learning tools as well as observed changes in student