Enhancing Engineering Education with Computational Thinking

该项目通过让高中生借助计算机模拟和Probeware测量来设计和建造一个节能的比例模型屋，以检验模拟和动手项目是互惠互利的断言，来调查科学模拟对学习工程学的教育价值。该项目正在开发一个面向教育的、学生友好的模拟工具SimEng，它能够准确地模拟学生在该项目中遇到的工程问题。正在开发四个教学单元：介绍科学概念和工程原理；设计和建造节能房屋的基本原理；探索自然采暖；发明自然冷却设备。正在为每个单位开发模拟和实践项目。学生的学习和表现是在两种情况下进行研究的：一种是在SimEng模拟软件的辅助下利用实践经验的实验处理；另一种是由相同的实践经验和传统课程材料组成的控制处理。这项研究探索了使用模拟来潜在的学习增强，这在基于设计的学习、工程教育和网络学习中至关重要。虽然本项目侧重于热力系统的工程设计，但其研究方法具有广泛的适用性，其结果对一般工程教育具有重要影响。这项研究还探讨了关键的网络学习问题，如通过虚拟实验室学习和通过物理实验室学习的关系。教学材料和模拟工具是开源的，可以在网上免费获得。这些材料正在社会经济不同的学生群体中进行测试，以确保研究结果适用于所有学生。

This project investigates the educational value of scientific simulations for learning engineering through engaging high school students in designing and building an energy-efficient scale model house with the aid of computer simulations and probeware measurement in order to test the assertion that simulations and hands-on projects are mutually beneficial. The project is developing an education-oriented, student-friendly simulation tool, SimEng, which is capable of accurately modeling the engineering problems students encounter in this project. Four instructional units are being developed: an introduction presenting science concepts and engineering principles; fundamentals of designing and building energy-efficient houses; exploring natural heating; and inventing natural cooling devices. Simulations and hands-on projects are being developed for each unit. Student learning and performance are being studied under two conditions: the experimental treatment utilizing hands-on experiences supplemented by the SimEng simulation software; and the control treatment consisting of the identical hands-on experiences and traditional curriculum materials.The research explores potential learning enhancements using simulations, which are critically important in design-based learning, engineering education, and cyberlearning. Although this project focuses on engineering design of thermal systems, the research methodology is broadly applicable and the outcomes have important implications for engineering education in general. This study also explores critical cyberlearning questions such as the relationship of learning through virtual labs and learning through physical labs. The instructional materials and the simulation tool are open source and freely available online. The materials are being tested with socio-economically diverse groups of students to ensure that the outcomes of the research apply to all students.