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Implementing an Inverted Classroom Model in Engineering Statics: Initial Results

1. Introduction

T is described by Lage et al. as an environment in which events that have traditionally taken place inside the classroom now take place outside the classroom and vice versa 1. Typically, Inverted instruction requires students to complete preparatory activities and exercises prior to Lecture, usually online. This pre-lecture activity exposes students to new material and allows them to form initial conceptions, attempt problems, receive feedback, and formulate questions. By leveraging these outcomes, lectures can be less about direct dissemination of material and more about critical discussion and engaged learning activities.

Recent advances in educational software and internet-based instruction have been exploited to develop Inverted Classrooms, including in engineering education2,3,4. In 2009, Dollár & Steif2 presented an Inverted Classroom model for Engineering Statics, delivered via the Open Learning Initiative (OLI)5. Inspired by this work, one of the authors designed and implemented an Inverted model for his sections of Statics at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez (UPRM) for Fall 2009. Excited by positive student feedback and his own impressions of its effectiveness, he continues to use the Inverted method in Statics (Spring 2010), and has also implemented an Inverted model to deliver a 75-minute seminar in Engineering Ethics to UPRM freshman (Fall 2009, Spring 2010)6.

To implement the new Inverted classroom for Statics, a set of customized Modules was newly created and delivered via the Moodle online courseware environment7,8. Prior to each Lecture, students must read one or two Modules (which consist of PowerPoint slide presentations) and complete corresponding Exercises. To promote engagement, the Modules use animation within each slide to allow students to process information dynamically, incrementally, and logically, and the corresponding Exercises are graded and provide feedback. We extended the idea of the Inverted Classroom to include a Problem-Solving Session following each Lecture, which is a regular, structured session in which students initiate homework exercises with the assistance of the instructor, teaching assistant (TA), and other students. The Problem Solving Session inverts the burden of initiating help-seeking from the student to the instructor, and inverts the setting for doing homework from outside to inside the classroom environment.

The primary assessment data is derived from a detailed student survey given at the end of Fall 2009. Survey results indicate strong student -style courses. In addition, we administered the Concept Assessment Tool for Statics (CATS)9 in both the Inverted sections and other Standard sections of Statics. The average post-test score from the Inverted cohort exceeded that of the Standard cohort, although differing measures offer differing assessments of whether this difference is significant. Because our students are 100% Hispanic, and most speak English as their second language (Spanish being their primary language), our results suggest that the Inverted method has potential to be effective across

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Papadopoulos, C., & Santiago Roman, A. (2010, June), Implementing An Inverted Classroom Model In Engineering Statics: Initial Results Paper presented at 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, Kentucky. 10.18260/1-2--16768