Enhancing Quality of Learning by Interactive Integration of
Engineering Experimentation and Computation
Proposal for National Science Foundation (NSF) - CCLI-EMD Program
by M. Kostic
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northern Illinois University
www.kostic.niu.edu
or http://www.ceet.niu.edu/faculty/kostic/
A. PROJECT SUMMARY
The new interactive
and multimedia technologies do not and can not replace good traditional values
and methods, like reasoning and cognitive thinking, but do have a tremendous
potential to enhance them, by facilitating learning by doing and what-if
analysis and simulation, as opposed to talking about doing: “I
hear…and I forget! I see…and I remember! But, I do…and I understand!"
Since we are in the beginning of the information revolution, it is hard to
comprehend that new technologies and interactive/computational simulations will
make another revolution in the 21st century in many areas, the way steam power
or electricity made industrial revolution in previous centuries. A synergistic
approach for integrating engineering inquiry, knowledge and judgment will be
developed and augmented with purposeful use of up-to-date technological and
computational resources, as effective learning tools for real-world problem
solving. The ultimate goal is to inspire, motivate and help engineering students
with creative and professional application of their theoretical math and
engineering science knowledge, by designing, implementing and analyzing,
specific, real-life laboratory experiments. This will be accomplished by
creatively using the powerful technological developments, such as sensors and
data acquisition boards, computers and application software, and vast Internet
resources, as integrated and effective teaching and learning aids. Thus, through
carefully and, very importantly, in-depth worked-out case studies, students will
be motivated first to understand, and then to design and execute purposeful
experiments, and to analyze and judge the validity and quality, as well as the
error-uncertainty, of their results. The objectives will be accomplished by
developing innovative laboratory and design courses for all engineering major
students, with emphases on: (1) inquiry and creativity, (2) experimental data
acquisition and reduction, (3) computer applications and what-if analysis, (4)
design and critical judgment, and (5) effective technical communications. The
progress of the project will be continuously evaluated in class and shared with
educators and others via the Internet, in order to solicit and receive feedback.
Developed course materials will also be evaluated by a College Assessment Board,
including industry professionals. The work will be disseminated on the Internet,
at professional meetings, in publications, and as supporting courseware with
interactive multimedia learning aids.