Paper Authors

Abstract

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

Session 1368

National Statics Clearinghouse (NSC) Database

Scott Danielson1, Sudhir Mehta2, Clark Merkel3, Pratap Kotala2 1 Arizona State University East / 2North Dakota State University / 3 Stinar Corporation

Abstract

A National Statics Clearinghouse (NSC) containing information about, and links to, major publications, pedagogical advances, and course materials related to statics is under construction. The NSC database will allow easy searching by keyword, author, and institution provides “one- stop shopping” for instructors searching for information and materials focused on improving student learning in statics. The NSC enhances dissemination of knowledge and provides a launching platform for faculty efforts in teaching statics.

I. Introduction

Statics is taught in almost all engineering and engineering technology programs (both 2 and 4- year). Thus, a large number of instructors in colleges and universities are engaged in teaching statics. Their background, training, and ability to stay current with the teaching resources available to them vary widely. Also, there are faculty continually developing, often in isolation, innovative ways to improve teaching and learning of statics. Thus, many new instructional insights or resources continually become available. For instance, the ASEE 1998 and 1999 Annual Conference proceedings illustrate web-based multimedia courseware related to statics. Work recorded by Ogleby et. al. (1998), Jack (1998), Toogood et. al. (1998), and Holzer & Andruet (1999) is available to any student or instructor who knows to access it. Similarly, there are a number of articles in journals and conference proceedings related to incorporation of design, using case studies and open-ended problems, simulations, physical models, hands-on experiments, and various other active-learning strategies.

It will be a great help to instructors if resources on statics (both new and old) are compiled at one site. The National Engineering Education Delivery System (NEEDS), supported by the Synthesis Coalition, was started using a similar concept. While NEEDS is intended to be a national resource for tracking educational materials, information and advances for the entire spectrum of engineering education, maintaining such a database is a huge task. For example, none of the authors listed above are currently listed in the NEEDS database. Even the recent funding by NSF’s Action Agenda for Engineering Education for continued development and maintenance of the NEEDS database may not solve this problem as there are a large number of engineering subjects and NEEDS may not be able to devote extensive attention to just one of them.

II. The National Statics Clearinghouse

The National Science Foundation recently funded a proposal entitled "Statics: The next generation." This proposal included creation of a National Statics Clearinghouse (NSC) to act

• Citation

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

Mehta, S. I., & Danielson, S., & Kotala, P., & Merkel, C. (2000, June), National Statics Clearinghouse (Nsc) Database Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8583