WIP: Toward a Free-Body Diagram Mobile Application

Andrew R. Sloboda; Sarah Wodin-Schwartz,; Kimberly Lechasseur; Jennifer deWinter

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Conference: 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Baltimore , Maryland
Publication Date: June 25, 2023
Start Date: June 25, 2023
End Date: June 28, 2023
Conference Session: Digital Methods in Mechanics: Teaching with Digital Tools
Tagged Division: Mechanics Division (MECHS)
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 16
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--44103
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/44103
Download Count: 292

Paper Authors

biography

Andrew R. Sloboda Bucknell University orcid.org/0000-0002-0729-3278

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Andrew Sloboda is an Assistant Professor at Bucknell University where he teaches a variety of mechanics-based courses. His research interests lie primarily in the fields of nonlinear dynamics and how context impacts student learning.

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Sarah Wodin-Schwartz, P.E. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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Prof. Sarah Wodin-Schwartz joined WPI in August 2015. While at UC Berkeley for her Ph.D., Prof. Wodin-Schwartz was a teaching assistant for both mechanical and electrical engineering courses including Introduction to Mechatronics for which she received th

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Kimberly Lechasseur Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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Dr. Kimberly LeChasseur is a researcher and evaluator with the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She holds a dual appointment with the Center for Project-Based Learning and the Morgan Teaching and Learning Center. She holds a PhD in Educational Leadership

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Jennifer deWinter Illinois Institute of Technology

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Abstract

No skill is more important for a student of mechanics than the ability to draw a complete and accurate free-body diagram (FBD). A good FBD facilitates proper accounting of forces when writing the balances that lead to governing equations in statics, solid mechanics, and dynamics. Because this skill is essential, educational approaches that improve the ability of students to draw correct FBDs are critical for maximizing the potential of the next generation of engineers. Traditionally, learning to draw FBDs involves classroom instruction followed by homework practice consisting of problems drawn from a textbook. Homework as practice does not serve all students well, because it does not scaffold the process of drawing FBDs in terms of distinct tasks (e.g., isolating the body, considering support reactions) nor does it offer immediate feedback, which students often need to avoid falling into the same error repeatedly. To address these shortcomings, we embarked on the design, implementation, and testing of a mobile application (app) that offers an alternative venue for FBD practice. The app provides students with asynchronous opportunities for training, varied tasks that target specific FBD issues, and several levels of immediate feedback. We hypothesize that the gamified environment and puzzle-based gameplay will improve student skill and self-efficacy in drawing FBDs, particularly for women, who may feel less confident in their spatial skills. Data collected to describe student experiences may also provide additional insight into how to improve FBD instruction generally. In this paper, we detail the process for designing and implementing the app and provide initial data regarding student impressions and use. The app was piloted in Fall 2022 in a large Introduction to Statics course as a non-graded study activity; all students except one (n=97) participated in an evaluation of its design features and user experiences. Approximately half (54%) of students indicated they had played half or more of the available games. When commenting about how the FBD app did, or did not, help their learning, 49% of respondents appreciated that the app allowed additional opportunities for practice. Students used these opportunities to further develop several skills, such as visualizing the system and setting up accurate diagrams, which strengthened their confidence and reviewed key concepts. While describing the value of practicing through the app, 21% of students called out how the app provided feedback. They specifically mentioned the positive experiences of receiving feedback that is immediate, that explains boundary connections, and that deepens learning after mistakes are made. These and other findings from the pilot study are discussed with corresponding next steps for development.

Citation
Format

Sloboda, A. R., & Wodin-Schwartz,, S., & Lechasseur, K., & deWinter, J. (2023, June), WIP: Toward a Free-Body Diagram Mobile Application Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--44103

TY - CPAPER
AB - No skill is more important for a student of mechanics than the ability to draw a complete and accurate free-body diagram (FBD). A good FBD facilitates proper accounting of forces when writing the balances that lead to governing equations in statics, solid mechanics, and dynamics. Because this skill is essential, educational approaches that improve the ability of students to draw correct FBDs are critical for maximizing the potential of the next generation of engineers.

Traditionally, learning to draw FBDs involves classroom instruction followed by homework practice consisting of problems drawn from a textbook. Homework as practice does not serve all students well, because it does not scaffold the process of drawing FBDs in terms of distinct tasks (e.g., isolating the body, considering support reactions) nor does it offer immediate feedback, which students often need to avoid falling into the same error repeatedly.

To address these shortcomings, we embarked on the design, implementation, and testing of a mobile application (app) that offers an alternative venue for FBD practice. The app provides students with asynchronous opportunities for training, varied tasks that target specific FBD issues, and several levels of immediate feedback. We hypothesize that the gamified environment and puzzle-based gameplay will improve student skill and self-efficacy in drawing FBDs, particularly for women, who may feel less confident in their spatial skills. Data collected to describe student experiences may also provide additional insight into how to improve FBD instruction generally.

In this paper, we detail the process for designing and implementing the app and provide initial data regarding student impressions and use. The app was piloted in Fall 2022 in a large Introduction to Statics course as a non-graded study activity; all students except one (n=97) participated in an evaluation of its design features and user experiences. Approximately half (54%) of students indicated they had played half or more of the available games.

When commenting about how the FBD app did, or did not, help their learning, 49% of respondents appreciated that the app allowed additional opportunities for practice. Students used these opportunities to further develop several skills, such as visualizing the system and setting up accurate diagrams, which strengthened their confidence and reviewed key concepts. While describing the value of practicing through the app, 21% of students called out how the app provided feedback. They specifically mentioned the positive experiences of receiving feedback that is immediate, that explains boundary connections, and that deepens learning after mistakes are made. These and other findings from the pilot study are discussed with corresponding next steps for development.
AU - Andrew R. Sloboda
AU - Sarah Wodin-Schwartz, P.E.
AU - Kimberly Lechasseur
AU - Jennifer deWinter
CY - Baltimore , Maryland
DA - 2023/06/25
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - WIP: Toward a Free-Body Diagram Mobile Application
UR - https://peer.asee.org/44103
DO - 10.18260/1-2--44103
ER -