Multiple Representations of Learning in Dynamics and Control: Exploring the Synergy of Low-Cost Portable Lab Equipment, Virtual Labs, and AI within Student Learning Activities

该项目旨在通过开发具有四个开源组件的动态和控制学习包来改善工程教育，从而为国家利益服务。学习动力学、振动和控制理论课程的工科学生，由于课程内容的高度数学性质、缺乏先验知识和教学工具的限制，往往难以深入理解复杂的工程概念。该项目旨在开发学习包，提供知识的多种表示形式，帮助学生将理论与实践联系起来，培养解决问题的能力，并在实际环境中全面理解振动和控制理论。这个项目有可能通过探索这些多重表征对教师和学生最有效的方式来提高对学生学习的理解。​(2)虚拟仿真；(3)基于虚拟助手的人工智能支持；(4)引导学习活动。项目团队计划探索三个研究问题：(1)在使用动手设备和虚拟模拟的精心设计的人工智能辅助学习体验的背景下，学习包可以在多大程度上提高学生在动态和控制方面的学习能力？(2)为什么潜在用户选择使用动态和控制学习包的一个或多个部分？(3)动态和控制学习包中的哪些元素或元素组合对用户最有利？该项目符合美国国家科学基金会消除STEM参与障碍的愿景，也符合其赋予STEM学习者权力的目标，同时创造有关学习过程的新知识。NSF IUSE: EDU项目支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。通过参与学生学习轨道，该计划支持有前途的实践和工具的创建，探索和实施。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by developing dynamics and control learning packages with four open-source components to improve engineering education. Engineering students taking dynamics, vibrations, and control theory courses often struggle to acquire a deep understanding of complex engineering concepts due to the highly mathematical nature of the content, lack of prior knowledge, and limited teaching tools. This Engaged Student Learning Level 2 project intends to develop learning packages to offer multiple representations of knowledge that can help students bridge theory with practice, develop problem-solving skills, and gain a comprehensive understanding of vibrations and control theory in a practical context. This project has the potential to produce advancements in understanding of student learning by exploring what ways these multiple representations are most effective for faculty and students.The proposed learning packages include four main components: (1) 3D printed lab equipment designs; (2) virtual simulations; (3) virtual assistant-based AI support; and (4) guided learning activities. The project team plans to explore three research questions: (1) To what degree can learning packages enhance student learning capabilities around dynamics and controls within the context of carefully designed AI-assisted learning experiences using hands-on equipment and virtual simulations? (2) Why do potential users choose to use one or more parts of the dynamics and control learning package? (3) Which element or combinations of elements in the dynamics and controls learning package are most beneficial for its users? This project aligns with NSF’s vision to remove barriers to participation in STEM, and with its goal of empowering STEM learners while creating new knowledge about the learning process. The NSF IUSE: EDU Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.