Core courses such as Dynamics and Thermodynamics are very difficult courses for many Undergraduate students. At the University of Texas El Paso it is no different. The Mechanical Engineering Department teaches Dynamics as a sophomore and Thermodynamics as a first term junior course. There is unfortunately a large failure rate for both classes.
The intervention reported in this paper helps students take ownership of their education. The department wants students to learn to ask questions to other students in the class. The department also wants students to answer questions. The method described and evaluated in this paper uses social media methods. By awarding credit for participation, students engage. When students answer questions, they can be “up voted” by fellow students and faculty. Up voted students can earn even more credit thus encouraging them to help others by helping themselves. By maintaining longitudinal data, students can use the up votes from their complete undergraduate experience to produce portfolio evidence they can be proud to show potential employers and graduate schools. This can provide a quantifiable measure of student performance independent of grades. Ultimately, the department hopes to modify student behavior so they look to student colleagues for help.
This paper presents the long-term plan of the department to modify student behavior. It also describes the progress to date in two courses. It goes into detail for Thermodynamics and Dynamics and shows the correlation between participation and classroom performance giving an indication of the efficacy of the methods.
Dr. Everett is the MacGuire Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas El Paso. Dr. Everett's current research is in the areas of Mechatronics, Freshman Programs and Student Engagement. Having multiple years of experience
Norman D. Love, Ph.D.is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Love, an El Paso native and UTEP alumnus, earned a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas El Paso and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma in the same field. Dr. Love’s research interests lie in the areas of combustion and energy conversion processes and engineering education. He has developed flipped classroom modules and also implements project based learning activities in his class activities.
Md Moinuddin Shuvo is a graduate student at the University of Texas at El Paso with a background in Mechanical Engineering. He pursued his Bachelor from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in the same subject. His research interest lies in Additive Manufacturing, Fracture Mechanics, Powder Metallurgy. He also likes to engage with students to help them learn better as he pursues a career in research-based academia while working as a teaching assistant at his graduate school.
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6455-9629
University of Texas, El Paso
[biography]
Vishal Zade is a PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering at University of Texas, El Paso. He has been working on his research with bulk ceramics and helping students as a Teaching Assistant.
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