Effectiveness of an Interactive Learning Environment Utilizing a Physical Model
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 140, Issue 3
Abstract
The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical desktop learning module and associated activities and assessments (DLM&A) implemented in an undergraduate engineering class. Preassessments and postassessments designed as part of this study were implemented within a control group that participated in 11 interactive lecture sessions covering open channel flow, and an experimental group that participated in nine lectures and two 50-minute sessions with the DLM&A. Student responses on assessments provide strong evidence to suggest students’ conceptual understanding increased significantly when the DLM&A is implemented. The experimental group registered a gain of 0.57 out of 1.0 possible, with 70% of the students achieving minimum competency, compared to a respective 0.26 gain and 39% competency for the control group. The average effect size for the experimental group was . Qualitative assessments show experimental group students were much more likely to correct their conceptual justifications on written responses than control group students.
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Acknowledgments
The financial support of the National Science Foundation under grant NSF DUE-1023121 is gratefully acknowledged. The authors are also grateful to Schyler Hect and Lisa Chen who helped with the initial development of the DLM and associated worksheets. The authors give credit to machinist Gary Held of the WSU College of Engineering and Architecture for innovations he provided during the construction phase for the DLMs.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 140 • Issue 3 • July 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 16, 2013
Accepted: Nov 5, 2013
Published online: Jan 7, 2014
Discussion open until: Jun 7, 2014
Published in print: Jul 1, 2014
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