An Integrated Modeling, Analysis, and Authoring Environment for Structural/Mechanical Engineering Education

该项目涉及基于计算的建模和分析系统的原型开发和初步评估，该系统包括集成的脚本和演示功能，旨在使教师和学生能够创作和使用将交流、实验和应用交织在一起的教学材料。现有的软件功能正在扩展和增强，以支持这些活动，并正在创建试点材料，供P.I.S当地校园使用和评估。然后，其他大学和社区学院的教职员工将有机会使用这些试点材料作为起点来编写他们自己的类似材料。在随后的评估中要解决的两个主要研究问题是：(1)能否利用开发的环境构建有效的学习材料；(2)方法是否足够吸引人和节省时间，以便教师使用。对学生学习和教师接受的双重关注是这个项目的一个重要方面。这些研究问题正在与评估专家合作解决，评估专家正在开发适当的工具来衡量学生和教职员工的反应和经历。

This project involves the prototype development and preliminary evaluation of a computationally-based modeling and analysis system that includes integrated scripting and presentation capabilities designed to enable instructors and students to author and use instructional materials that interweave communication, experimentation, and application. Existing software capabilities are being extended and augmented to support these activities, and pilot materials are being created for use and evaluation at the P.I.'s local campus. Faculty at other universities and community colleges will then be given the opportunity to use these pilot materials as a starting point to author their own similar materials. The two primary research questions to be addressed in the ensuing evaluations are: (i) can effective learning materials be constructed using the developed environment; and (ii) is the approach sufficiently attractive and time-efficient that instructors will use it. The dual focus on student learning and faculty buy-in is an important aspect of this project. These research questions are being addressed in collaboration with assessment experts, who are developing suitable instruments to measure student and faculty reactions and experiences.