scholarly journals Student preference between single-box and multi-box homework problem answers using WeBWorK, an online homework system

Author(s):  
Agnes D'Entremont

WeBWorK is an open-source online homework platform used in mathematics as well as engineering, where students can be assigned calculated answer engineering science problems. Problems with staged answers (multi-box) problems are possible on this system, and could offer feedback for the answers at each intermediate step of the solution. This would allow students to determine the step where they had an error (or deficit in understanding), similar to providing a hint on what their specific error was in adaptive feedback systems.Second-year students in a mechanical engineering program were exposed to both single- and multi-box questions in WeBWorK and were asked to give feedback about their preferences. The vast majority of students reported that they believed that the multi-box questions provided them good feedback on which step or calculation had error(s). They also pointed out the multi-box problems sped up finding errors in their solutions. However, a large minority indicated concern that multi-box problems constrained the solution to a particular path.Based on these results, providing some multi-box problems may assist students in finding their errors through more detailed feedback on their solution. This may be more effective earlier in a particular topic or in the first problems at any given complexity.

Author(s):  
Agnes G. D'Entremont ◽  
Patrick J. Walls ◽  
Peter A. Cripton

Abstract – WeBWorK is a widely-used open-source, online homework tool where instructors may author their own problems, or select problems from an Open Problem Library. While it is extensively and globally used in mathematics, there are few problems available for engineering subjects. Due to initial student feedback based on mathematics problems, we decided to compare WeBWorK directly to our Blackboard Learn LMS for online homework during an integrated second-year Mechanical Engineering program. Students were assigned two problem sets in Blackboard and two problem sets in WeBWorK, and then completed a survey. Results show a strong preference for WeBWorK in all areas, including ease of use, ease of navigation, clear feedback, reported enhancement of learning, etc. We outline the primary benefits and drawbacks of using WeBWorK, and conclude by recommending WeBWorK for online homework in engineering courses.  


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-23
Author(s):  
Mohd Aderi Che Noh ◽  
Normurni Mohamad ◽  
Adibah Hasanah Abd Halim ◽  
Absha Atiah Abu Bakar

This study aims to see the implementation of project based learning methods (PBL) implemented by lecturers in the Science, Technology and Engineering P&P processes in Islam as an effort to enhance students' understanding in the Fiqh Method. Respondents in this study were students of second semester, Diploma of Mechanical Engineering program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Banting. Observation and interview methods are used for data collection purposes. The data were analyzed descriptively and presented in narrative form. The findings show that PBL activity is a fun and enjoyable P&P activity for students. Abstrak Kajian  ini  bertujuan  untuk  melihat  perlaksanaan  kaedah  pembelajaran  berasaskan  projek  (PBL)  yang dilaksanakan  oleh  pensyarah  dalam  proses  P&P Sains,  Teknologi  dan  kejuruteraan  dalam  Islam  sebagai usaha  meningkatkan  kefahaman  pelajar  pelajar  dalam  tajuk  Kaedah Fiqh.  Responden  dalam  kajian  ini adalah   terdiri   daripada   pelajar   semester   dua   progran   Diploma   Kejuruteraan   Mekanikal,   Jabatan Kejuruteraan  Mekanikal,  Politeknik  Banting.  Kaedah  pemerhatian  dan  temu  bual  digunakan  bagi  tujuan pengutipan data. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif dan dipersembahkan dalam bentuk naratif. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan aktiviti PBL merupakan aktiviti P&P yang disukai dan menyeronokkan bagi para pelajar.


Author(s):  
Emad Elnajjar ◽  
S.-A.B. Al Omari ◽  
Farag Omar ◽  
Mohamed YE. Selim ◽  
AHI Mourad

This paper focuses on the Mechanical Engineering Program (MEP) at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) as a case study in terms of consistent accreditation by the internationally recognized Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET), where significant proportions of the study give attention towards the recent records of accreditation; granted in 2016. The paper describes the program educational objectives (PEOs), the student learning outcomes (SOs), and the curriculum, direct and indirect assessment tools of the SOs and it’s mapping to the PEO, and the level of attainment achieved is addressed through a case study example.


1972 ◽  
Vol 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
E.R. Funke

A large tidal model of the St. Lawrence River covering the region from Montreal to lie du Bic is connected directly to a mini computer for data acquisition and control of the tidal boundary. Some of the more important concepts for the design and operation of a computer based system for this application are described. Details of an adaptive feedback controller for diurnal tides are given. A 16 mm film (N.R.C.-Division of Mechanical Engineering, film no. HYP 620, same title) describes the instrumentation and operation of the model. A report (N.R.C.-Division of Mechanical Engineering, Report No. MH-110, same title) provides further details of this system.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo A. Salustri ◽  
W. Patrick Neumann

The design experience of 3rd year undergraduates in Mechanical Engineering at Ryerson University, and the assessment of student design work, was found to be disjointed and highly variable across the program. To attempt to address this, the authors are constructing courseware to help instructors of non-design engineering courses embed rich and consistent design projects into their courses. A “lightweight” Fast-Design process was developed. Course-specific design project examples of the process are being developed for five 3rd year courses using this design process. Current versions of all courseware are freely available. This paper details the nature of the courseware and how it was designed, developed,and deployed for the project. To date, one case has been deployed, two developed, and two more are under development. While results are so far only anecdotal, there is reason to believe that our approach can noticeably improve the design experience of students in non-design engineering courses.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo A. Salustri ◽  
W. Patrick Neumann

The design experience of 3rd year undergraduates in Mechanical Engineering at Ryerson University, and the assessment of student design work, was found to be disjointed and highly variable across the program. To attempt to address this, the authors are constructing courseware to help instructors of non-design engineering courses embed rich and consistent design projects into their courses. A “lightweight” Fast-Design process was developed. Course - specific design project examples of the process are being developed for five 3rd year courses using this design process. Current versions of all courseware are freely available. This paper details the nature of the courseware and how it was designed, developed, and deployed for the project. To date, one case has been deployed, two developed, and two more are under development. While results are so far only anecdotal, there is reason to believe that our approach can noticeably improve the design experience of students in non-design engineering courses.


Author(s):  
Kyle G. Gipson ◽  
Robert J. Prins

The Madison Engineering Department is an undergraduate non-discipline specific engineering program at James Madison University. The program acknowledges that future engineers should not be constrained by disciplinary boundaries but demonstrate the ability to adapt and work across disciplines within team atmospheres. The program blends engineering science fundamentals with sustainable design to integrate environmental, social, economic, and technical contexts plus systems thinking while maintaining the university-wide liberal arts core. Madison Engineering is dedicated to the development of engineering versatilists who can readily integrate knowledge from historically different fields of engineering. In support of this development, several courses within the curriculum integrate topics that are traditionally taught separately. This chapter described ENGR 314: Materials & Mechanics, a course that integrates concepts from the traditional content of stand-alone courses (materials science and mechanics of materials) via a semester long design project in which students must incorporate knowledge of both sets of content.


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