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Improving Students’ Learning through Inquiry-Based Learning Activities as Pre-training for Mechanics of Materials Classes

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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

Keeping It Real: Real World Examples and Systems Thinking

Tagged Division

Mechanics Division (MECHS)

Page Count

19

DOI

10.18260/1-2--43594

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/43594

Download Count

139

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Paper Authors

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Huihui Qi University of California, San Diego

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Dr.Huihui Qi is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California San Diego.

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Changkai Chen

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Richard Eugene Vallejo Jr. University of California, San Diego

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Richard Vallejo is a second-year undergraduate student at UC San Diego majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Controls and Robotics. Richard assists with concept generation and manufacturing for inquiry-based learning activity models and demonstrations. He plans on pursuing a future career in engineering education at the high school level. Outside of academics, Richard is a lead for Triton Robotics at UC San Diego, helping design and manufacture their competition robots for the annual RoboMaster competition. His hobbies also include spending time with friends, cooking new recipes, and creating artwork using spray paint.

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Trevor Keoki Oshiro

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Edward Zhou Yang Yu University of California, San Diego Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0009-0008-3429-6774

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Edward Yu is currently an aerospace engineering undergraduate student interested in structural optimization of load-bearing structures, particularly in relation to rockets and space-flight vehicles.

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Isabella Fiorini

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Abstract

Pre-training refers to the process of acquiring knowledge or skills before attending a lecture or other format of learning event. It is an important method to reduce students’ cognitive load when learning new concepts during the lecture. In addition, pre-training can also help to increase student engagement and motivation during lectures. Evidence suggests pretraining can help improve knowledge transfer and retention. Some studies found that students who received pre-training in engineering were more likely to continue with their studies and to report feeling more confident in their ability to succeed in an engineering program.

Most commonly used pre-training materials are textbook reading, flipped lectures, and the use of online modules. However, often these methods are not very successful in engaging students and thus fail to encourage students to complete the pre-training. Hands-on inquiry-based learning activities (IBLAs) have the potential to better engage students in the pre-training and improve students’ retention and transfer. Hands-on IBLAs provide the students an opportunity to explore the concepts through interaction with hardware devices, thus better understanding the concept. IBLAs in Statics and Mechanics of Materials courses as pre-training and their impact have not been studied well. Subject matter in the Mechanics of Materials is an important foundational topic for many disciplines, such as mechanical engineering, structural engineering, etc. Conceptual mastery of this content is important for student's academic success in upper-division classes, as well as for their future careers.

This paper investigates the use of IBLAs for a mechanics of materials class as pre-training materials and its impact on students’ learning. The purpose of this study is to report the development of 5 new hands-on IBLA models for solid mechanics classes used in a large public university. The impact of the IBLA as pretraining on students' performance is studied through regression analysis. Through delayed tests (quizzes, midterms, and final exams), it is found that IBLAs have a positive impact on students learning outcomes in the topics using IBLAs. Effective IBL in engineering mechanics courses requires a clear and relevant driving question, structured inquiry activities, and opportunities for student reflection and self-assessment. Thus, we will demonstrate the details of the IBLA hands-on models as an open source for other instructors interested in using them.

Qi, H., & Chen, C., & Vallejo, R. E., & Oshiro, T. K., & Yu, E. Z. Y., & Fiorini, I. (2023, June), Improving Students’ Learning through Inquiry-Based Learning Activities as Pre-training for Mechanics of Materials Classes Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--43594

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