2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Supported through NSF-DUE, this TUES Type 1 project is 1) developing an open source, virtual, online materials laboratory that includes tensile testing, hardness testing and impact testing laboratory simulation; 2) conducting research to compare the costs and learning outcomes for using on-site, hands-on testing equipment versus an online simulation; 3) creating close industry ties through blended learning opportunities for students; and 4) disseminating the simulation via faculty development. The project is testing the hypothesis that online learning improves outcomes and simultaneously reduces instructional costs. It is bridging a gap between existing material testing software products that are either too simple or too complex. The project is using a comprehensive assessment of student learning, along with a quasi-experimental research design, to determine the impact of the simulator on students and their instructors compared to traditional learning without the simulator. Although the proof of concept in the project pertains to a common engineering learning activity, the research is applicable to other engineering areas and other disciplines. The project includes activities that can be easily adopted by other institutions with little cost. The open-source tool being developed will be disseminated to undergraduate and high school faculty members who teach strength of materials and similar courses, thus increasing the likelihood of adoption. Access to a virtual lab will allow groups with limited resources to attain desired learning outcomes without large capital investments for tensile strength, hardness and impact strength testing equipment. Note that the scope of this project has increased from just tensile testing to also include hardness and impact testing. Final results will be presented for all three testing methods using both high school and college students as test subjects.