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Were the Pedagogical Techniques Effective? Assessment of the Civil Engineering Materials and Transportation Engineering

Abstract

The author had presented an innovative technique in civil engineering materials and transportation engineering at the past ASEE conferences. In the civil engineering materials course, lectures were modified to address the concepts required to conduct laboratory experiments and its practical applications. The objectives of the laboratory experiments were well defined; however, the students determined the process of conducting the experiment. The information provided to the students focused on the rationale behind developing standardized laboratory procedure and their broad ranging applications on the civil engineering industry.

The transportation course, which is traditionally a lecture course, was redesigned to ensure that every student actively participates and understands the physical elements of transportation design. Throughout the course, the faculty conducted a stimulating and engaging exercise of requiring students to solve practical problems during class in teams of two immediately after covering the relevant theory. The practical problems were assigned before any example problems were solved in the class. During the class, the faculty was available to answer any questions they may have. At the end, after solving the problem in class, the solution was distributed. This allowed the students to see how they thought through the problem as well as provided them with a correct solution for future reference.

The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed assessment data of both these courses over a period of five years. The assessment period includes before and after the innovative techniques was implemented. The paper also presents the metrics that were used for assessing these courses. The paper demonstrates the following two aspects; 1) the assessment tool, and 2) the effectiveness of the innovative techniques. This will help identify the advantages and disadvantages of the technique.

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Mehta, Y. (2010, June), Were The Innovative Techniques Effective? Assessment Of The Civil Engineering Courses – Civil Engineering Materials And Transportation Engineering Paper presented at 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, Kentucky. 10.18260/1-2--15899