Digital tools used on the teaching-learning process in geotechnical engineering

Abstract

This article presents the incorporation of information and communication technologies on the teaching-learning process of geotechnical engineering to improve the quality of education and provide practical knowledge to civil engineering students. The content of this paper is divided into three main modules, which are: Treatment of laboratory tests results, Slope stability and Rock mass stability. For this, some software were used, including 2D limit equilibrium stability analysis, stability analysis of rock wedges and a dynamic mathematics, to obtain and analyze soil shear strength parameters, among others. Furthermore, a digital tool was developed to analyze the results gathered in compaction, one-dimensional consolidation, and direct soil shear tests, in order to clarify the relationship between theoretical concepts and practical results of the tests and analyses and to help students on doubts, in addition to increase their interest and motivation to perform the complete interpretation of the collected data. The activities were conducted in classes of geotechnical disciplines of the undergraduate course in Civil Engineering at the Federal University of Viçosa, aiming to promote active learning and improve teaching quality. Based on the results of an applied feedback questionnaire, it was observed that most students were satisfied with the resources used in the classroom, demonstrating that the implemented digital tools work as a didactic instrument that facilitates learning and comprehension of practical problems, in addition to enabling the resolution of several geotechnical engineering problems much more quickly and efficiently.