Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Developing an Interactive Learning Network Using Tablet PCs in Sophomore-Level Engineering Courses

Abstract

The importance of active and interactive learning in science and engineering education has long been recognized, and interactive and collaborative teaching and learning techniques are routinely employed in small laboratory and discussion sessions. Wireless technology coupled with pen- based computing technology that is suited for analyzing and solving engineering problems provides an ideal venue for these interactive teaching and learning methods to be applied to a larger, more traditional lecture setting. This study focuses on how Tablet PCs and wireless technology can be used during classroom instruction to create an Interactive Learning Network (ILN) that allows real-time student assessment and assistance. The ILN is designed to enhance the instructor’s ability to solicit active participation from all students during lectures, to conduct immediate and meaningful assessment of student learning, and to provide needed real-time feedback and assistance to maximize student learning. This interactive classroom environment is created using wireless Tablet PCs and a software application, NetSupport School, which allows various levels of interactions between the instructor and the students during lectures, thereby enhancing the instructor’s ability to systematically monitor and control individual student progress, assess their understanding through instant surveys, and provide immediate feedback and assistance through the wireless network. Results from two separate controlled studies of the implementation of this model of interactive teaching and learning in sophomore-level Engineering Dynamics courses show statistically significant positive impact on student performance. Additionally, results of student surveys show overwhelmingly positive student perception of the effects of this model of classroom environment on their learning experience. These results indicate that the interactive classroom environment developed using wireless Tablet PCs has the potential to be a more effective teaching pedagogy compared to traditional instructor-centered teaching environments, and should be applied to math, science and other engineering courses with traditionally high attrition rates.

1. INTRODUCTION

The fundamental problem addressed by this study is the lack of active participation of students during classroom instruction in the traditional 50-minute lecture setting. Studies have long shown that the traditional instructor-centered lecture format is an ineffective learning environment, and that active participation and interactive and collaborative teaching and learning methods are more effective in various areas of science and engineering education including Chemistry1, Physics2, Engineering3, and Computer Science4. Various uses of technology have been found to be effective in enhancing the classroom experience to achieve more interactive and

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Enriquez, A. (2007, June), Developing An Interactive Learning Network Using Tablet Pcs In Sophomore Level Engineering Courses Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1781