Video-Based Concept Tutors with Assessment in Game Format for Engineering Courses

Abstract

Many students in mechanical engineering fail to see the connection between the knowledge gained for different classes or the usage of concepts learned in math classes in an engineering setting. In this study, we discuss about the development, implementation and evaluation of a video based instructional tool, called concept tutor. These concept tutors focus on one concept at a time and they can be used as supplemental material to a lecture. These supplements provide additional help to students in explaining the concept taught in class and reinforces their learning, while making the learning process diverse by giving the option of playing a game while testing their knowledge.The concept tutor consists of three phases: first phase is definition and real-world applications of the concept. Second phase includes a step-by-step presentation and instruction of the concept in a general format and then through a numerical problem. Each step is a video followed by elements of the third phase. This phase consists of assessments in the form of multiple-choice questions to provide the viewer an assessment of the effectiveness of the material in enhancing the learning of the concept. The questions after each topic are in a format that allows the students to choose the environment of the testing. They can choose either a regular multiple-choice assessment or a game based assessment. The focus for the concept tutor applications is to engage students in authentic intellectual work that facilitates the assimilation of knowledge in a disciplined manner that will have value beyond schoolwork.Two applications have been developed for a Mechanical Engineering class. For Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines (MECH2120) course at a large south-eastern university the following modules have been created: Cross-Product Tutor, Calculation of the Determinant of a 3 by 3 matrix Tutor. These applications were used with the purpose of refreshing students on how to calculate a cross-product and the determinant of a 3 by 3 matrix. These concepts are prerequisite and vital for the engineering concepts learned in this class. The tutor applications were used as a supplement to conventional teaching material to allow a selfpaced review.The concept tutors were tested in an experimental/control group setting. The quantitative and qualitative results obtained from surveys show that students find such materials useful in the learning process. This work presents the development methodology of such tutors, implementation in class and the evaluation results.