Multiple Models for Civil Engineering Dynamics

工程学-土木工程(54)这个项目解决了在物理世界和更抽象的物理和数学模型之间建立联系的教学工具和策略的需求。该项目的目标是通过弥合数学表达式与物理元素和真实生活系统的响应的表示/模型之间的脱节，来改善学生对动力学和振动的学习。具体的项目目标包括：(1)通过让学生更多地意识到他们的学习来解决先入为主的概念；(2)为解决基本概念的关键动态部件开发物理模型；(3)开发一个可视化模拟环境，允许以交互方式构建、测量和可视化示意性2D分析模型的性能；以及(4)将数学、物理和计算机模型与真实世界联系起来。这种方法植根于关于学生学习的现有知识，旨在解决典型的学生误解，并开发一种解决动力学问题的元认知方法。通过在物理模型和模拟模型之间建立明确的联系，抽象能力将得到加强，从而可以研究更复杂的系统。模拟软件将作为一个虚拟实验室，学生可以在其中创建自己的系统，并放置传感器来监控系统响应。该方法的有效性正在使用关于动力学的概念清单、需要现实世界情况与代表它们的模型之间的联系的特别设计的问题以及关于解决问题的过程的学生访谈的文字记录来评估。将通过会议和期刊论文、在网上张贴材料以及通过直接联系其他机构的具体个人进行传播。关于更广泛的影响，该项目通过促进教学方法来解决多样性问题，研究表明，这种教学方法在留住工程学中代表性不足的群体方面是有效的。

Engineering - Civil (54)This project addresses the need for teaching tools and strategies for creating connections between the physical world and the more abstract physical and mathematical models. The project's goal is to improve student learning of dynamics and vibrations by bridging the disconnect between mathematical expressions and both representation/models of physical elements and response of real life systems. Specific project objectives include: (1) addressing preconceptions by making students more aware of their learning; (2) developing physical models for critical dynamic components that address fundamental concepts; (3) developing a visual simulation environment that allows the interactive construction, instrumentation, and visualization of the performance of schematic 2D analytical models; and (4) linking mathematical, physical, and computer models to the real world. The approach is rooted in existing knowledge about student learning and is designed to address typical student misconceptions and develop a metacognitive approach to solving dynamics problems. By making explicit links between physical and simulated models, abstraction capabilities will be strengthened so that more complex systems can be investigated. The simulation software will serve as a virtual laboratory, where students can create their own systems and place sensors to monitor system responses. Effectiveness of the approach is being evaluated using a concept inventory on dynamics, specifically designed problems that require connections between real-world situation and models representing them, and transcripts of student interviews on the problem-solving process. Dissemination will be through conference and journal papers, by posting material on the web, and by directly contacting specific individuals at other institutions. Regarding broader impacts, the project addresses diversity by promoting pedagogies which research has shown to be effective in the retention of underrepresented groups in engineering.