Enhancing Engineering Mechanics Instruction with Interactive 3D Virtual Models

工程机械（56）该项目正在开发基于计算机的材料静力学和力学教学模块，这两门核心工程课程传统上为大量学生和学科服务。 这项工作旨在通过解决教师和学生一直难以教授的基本主题来改善工程教育-涉及3D几何的主题。 该项目使用3D渲染和动画软件来制作教学模块，在这些模块中，用户以与物理对象相同的方式操纵虚拟3D对象。 为了帮助教师，正在开发课堂教学模块和3D建模工具，使教师能够逼真地描绘三维工程对象，包括作用在它们上的外力和对这些外力的内部响应，因为这些主题在讲座中被解释。 对于学生来说，课件使用教师在课堂上使用的相同3D虚拟模型提供有意义的练习。 此外，具有实时语音和文本协作的在线3D建模工具为学生提供了一种与同龄人或教师在线交流的方式，以寻求他们问题的答案。 教育评价和研究是该项目的一个主要组成部分。本研究包括学习和教学设计变量的详细探索和多种方法和测量工具的利用。这项研究将对通过创新软件进行学习的基本认知和教育问题产生重要的见解。 该项目正在让各种机构参与材料的开发和测试。一个CoPI位于俄克拉荷马州诺曼校区的大学，在佩利什社区学院的教师将评估材料的有效性，在社区学院的水平，并在不同的机构将从事十个额外的教师测试课程，并提供反馈。在这个项目中开发的基于计算机的教学模块与课堂演示活动相结合，这些活动是由德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的克里斯伍德和空军学院的丹詹森通过另一个NSF资助的项目开发的。

Engineering-Mechanical (56) This project is developing computer-based instructional modules for Statics and Mechanics of Materials, two core engineering courses that traditionally serve large numbers of students and disciplines. The work seeks to improve engineering education by addressing fundamental topics that are consistently difficult for instructors to teach and for students to learn - topics involving 3D geometry. The project uses 3D rendering and animation software to produce instructional modules in which the user manipulates virtual 3D objects in much the same manner as they would physical objects. To assist instructors, classroom teaching modules and a 3D modeling tool are being developed that enable instructors to realistically depict three-dimensional engineering objects, including the external forces acting on them and the internal responses to those external forces, as these topics are being explained during lectures. For students, the courseware provides meaningful exercises using the same 3D virtual models that the instructor uses in class. Further, an online 3D modeling tool with real-time voice and text collaboration provides students with a means to communicate on-line with peers or instructors in seeking answers to their questions. Educational evaluation and research constitutes a major component of this project. This research includes the detailed exploration of learning and instructional design variables and the utilization of multiple methodologies and measurement tools. The research will produce important insights into basic cognitive and educational issues that underlie learning by means of innovative software. The project is engaging a wide variety of institutions in the development and testing of the material. A CoPI is located at the University of Oklahoma Norman Campus, instructors at Pellissippi Community College will assess the effectiveness of the material at the community college level, and ten additional instructors at different institutions will be engaged to beta-test the curriculum and provide feedback. The computer-based instructional modules developed in this project are integrated with in-class demonstration activities that are being developed through another NSF funded project by Kris Wood at the University of Texas Austin and Dan Jensen at The Air Force Academy.