Dynamics Evolution Chance Or Design

Abstract

Significant innovations and changes have been made in the teaching of dynamics over the past ten years at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In this paper the author will discuss the history of these changes and how a traditional dynamics course has evolved from being primarily lecture to using cooperative learning and technology, and finally, how the course was integrated with other courses using a common conservation and accounting framework. Details will be provided showing how to effectively utilize technology such as Maple and Working Model and how to involve students more in the educational process using methods such as cooperative learning, plus-deltas, and readiness assessment tests. When Maple and Working Model were first used in the course in 1994 the students were surveyed as to how they felt about these tools. In 1999 this survey was repeated. The results of these surveys and additional assessment results will also be presented. Many changes have been made to the course, but the only significant improvement in student performance occurred when the course was integrated with other courses and the material was taught in a significantly different manner.

Interactive Web Examples For Dynamics Developed Using Dazzlermax

“…In the author's personal experience, these sorts of simulations are not very useful unless the students are specifically assigned to look at them. The best use of these types of simulations has been in the demonstration mode and to help improve students' intuition, visualization and to provide some motivation 4 . They do not however, help strengthen students' problem solving abilities or their ability to apply fundamental principles to solve problems.…”

“…The initial motivation for this work on interactive example problems was a survey that was taken at the end of the 1999 academic year 4 . In this survey, students were asked to evaluate a number of proposed elements of a mechanics website on a scale from one to five where one indicated the student would never use this on a website and five indicated the student would use it frequently.…”

Computer Simulation and Animation in Engineering Mechanics: A Critical Review and Analysis

“…(1) : Number of students in questionnaire survey (1993) was reported as "students in the courses," no specific number found. (2) : Numbers of students in questionnaire surveys (1994,1999) were reported as "students in the courses," no specific number found. (3) : Numbers of students in questionnaire surveys (2004) were reported as "students in the courses," no specific number found.…”

Should Kinetics Follow Kinematics? Only In The Dictionary!

“…All of these have been used at Rose-Hulman, and in the authors' opinion are beneficial for enhancing student learning. However, the only quantified improvement in student learning took place when an entirely new curriculum was implemented in 1995 [12][13] . Rose-Hulman, as part of the NSF sponsored Foundation Coalition, implemented a new sophomore curriculum starting in the 1995-96 academic year.…”