Design and Application of Interactive Simulations in Problem-Solving in University-Level Physics Education

In recent years, interactive computer simulations have been progressively integrated in the teaching of the sciences and have contributed significant improvements in the teaching–learning process. Practicing problem-solving is a key factor in science and engineering education. The aim of this study was to design simulation-based problem-solving teaching materials and assess their effectiveness in improving students’ ability to solve problems in university-level physics. Firstly, we analyze the effect of using simulation-based materials in the development of students’ skills in employing procedures that are typically used in the scientific method of problem-solving. We found that a significant percentage of the experimental students used expert-type scientific procedures such as qualitative analysis of the problem, making hypotheses, and analysis of results. At the end of the course, only a minority of the students persisted with habits based solely on mathematical equations. Secondly, we compare the effectiveness in terms of problem-solving of the experimental group students with the students who are taught conventionally. We found that the implementation of the problem-solving strategy improved experimental students’ results regarding obtaining a correct solution from the academic point of view, in standard textbook problems. Thirdly, we explore students’ satisfaction with simulation-based problem-solving teaching materials and we found that the majority appear to be satisfied with the methodology proposed and took on a favorable attitude to learning problem-solving. The research was carried out among first-year Engineering Degree students.     

Design science research – a powerful tool for improving methods in engineering education research

ABSTRACT

Modelling is a central activity in practical engineering and something that is also useful in engineering education research (EER). Additionally, qualitative research methods have found important applications in engineering research, although their use in EER has not always been widely accepted. Design science research is a qualitative research approach in which the object of study is the design process, i.e. it simultaneously generates knowledge about the method used to design an artefact and the design or the artefact itself. This paper uses techniques from design science research to analyse the method used when deriving the ‘learning of a complex concept’ (LCC) model, which we developed while designing teaching sequences for a course on electrical engineering. Our results demonstrate the value of design science research in EER and suggest that the LCC model is generally applicable in this field.     

Sequential assessment of engineering design projects at university level

Seven years of industrial experience followed by 30 years of academic research and teaching in structural engineering have led the author to believe that the prime objective of a university design course is not the design project itself but to train students to solve problems, as this will last them throughout their careers. It is shown how design projects can be formulated for the purpose of encouraging students to develop their problem-solving abilities. More importantly, a sequential assessment technique has been developed to quantify the students’ ability to both think and learn as well as the students’ grasp of the fundamental principles, all of which are required in problem-solving.     

新工科课程体系中的工程设计思维

工程思维和设计思维是新工科建设活动中的基本思维.通过对人才培养课程体系、专业知识结构体系、专业课程和跨学科课程等新工科建设活动中设计特征分析,提出在新工科课程体系建设中应重视工程思维和设计思维的融合,即"工程设计思维",体现新工科课程体系的创新性、系统性和实践性;在新工科课程教学活动中应重视对学习者工程设计思维的培养,...     

Case study of a problem-based learning course of physics in a telecommunications engineering degree

Active learning methods can be appropriate in engineering, as their methodology promotes meta-cognition, independent learning and problem-solving skills. Problem-based learning is the educational process by which problem-solving activities and instructor's guidance facilitate learning. Its key characteristic involves posing a ‘concrete problem’ to initiate the learning process, generally implemented by small groups of students. Many universities have developed and used active methodologies successfully in the teaching–learning process. During the past few years, the University of the Basque Country has promoted the use of active methodologies through several teacher training programmes. In this paper, we describe and analyse the results of the educational experience using the problem-based learning (PBL) method in a physics course for undergraduates enrolled in the technical telecommunications engineering degree programme. From an instructors’ perspective, PBL strengths include better student attitude in class and increased instructor–student and student–student interactions. The students emphasised developing teamwork and communication skills in a good learning atmosphere as positive aspects.     

Primary Design

The name of the game is all important. "You mustn't call it CDT [Craft Design and Technology]. It's design-related activities." Rather a mouthful, especially for the young children on the receiving end. But the approach to teaching that is slowly penetrating primary schools may be called design awareness, problem-solving, capability, designing and making, science, or craft; some even call it plain "design."     

电子技术综合设计性实验项目

以简易脉搏测试仪的设计实现为例,具体阐述了在开放性、设计性实验中,引导学生综合运用所学理论知识,采用多方案设计方法,从系统角度思考、设计总体方案及实施手段的实验教学模式,并给出了该实验项目的具体教学建议。介绍了用LabVIEW对该实验项目进行扩展,引入课程设计的具体实现方法。     

开放大学系统教学模式设计反思及考量维度分析

教学理念与教学程序及方法是教学模式中不可或缺的两大要素。反思电大教学模式设计,结论是:"系统办学"理念、"现代远程教育属性"与"特定的教学活动序列及其方法策略"应是开放大学系统教学模式设计的必备条件;以国家开放大学的"六网融通"模式为依据,从教学安排一体化、网络教学多样化、面授网教互补化、衔接教学差异化、实践教学实训化、毕业作业实用化六个维度去考量教学模式设计应该是地方开放学院暨基层学习中心必须坚持的根本。     

从认知过程探讨工程地质学教学

工程地质的教学目的是培养学生在掌握基础知识上能合理有效的运用知识解决实际问题的能力。从认知心理学的角度分析认知过程与工程地质的要求,探讨了教学中应注意的问题,提出培养学生能力的具体内容,即善于学习、观察、思考并总结。     

Asking the ‘Right’ Questions. Identifying Issues in Developing a Technological Solution

It is well established that technological education is not just about the development of technical expertise. A socially constructed view of technology aims to recognise the culture of technology. Technology education as expressed in the New Zealand curriculum provides an opportunity for societal issues to have equal space with technological capability and technological knowledge. However, when technological activities focus on solutions it is all too easy for stakeholders' positions to be ignored. There is a need for a teaching approach to engage in a liberating technological literacy discourse where values and beliefs of all participants directly and indirectly involved in the activity, are examined. This research monitored a professional development programme where identification of the values represented in a familiar object provided a model for discussion and the development of a teaching environment that promoted consideration of values during problem-solving. The data have been collected from primary school teachers who developed teaching programmes for Years 1 to 8 (5–12 years).     

基于学科优势的采矿工程专业创新人才全过程培养

采矿工程专业依托学科优势将创新教育活动落实到教学各环节,在发挥名师作用、推行本科生导师制、深化毕业设计改革、变革专业实验教学、注重课程教学质量等8个方面已取得初步成效,培养出了高质量的创新人才。     

Engineering Design Simulation: A Computer-based Teaching Environment

In engineering education, design provides an excellent project-based environment in which to teach the fundamentals of synthesis, analysis and decision-making. It is proposed to create a computer-based teaching tool which provides a close simulation of the design environment. All activities of design, i. e. problem definition, conceptualizing, analysis, decision-making and documentation, are envisioned to be part of the simulation, which should be flexible in its use and highly interactive, with the student in full control for maximum learning benefit. While some real difficulties are foreseen in simulating the conceptual and intuitive areas of the design process, the more structured aspects of the design process are already computerized in engineering practice. Restricting the proposed simulation to a specific field of design should make the development of such a teaching tool entirely possible     

精心设计实习内容提高认识实习教学质量

精心选择实习生产车间,满足认识实习以化工单元操作为主的教学要求,确保实习的教学效果;精心设计实习的教学内容,引导学生将书本知识与实际生产技术相联系,培养学生分析问题和解决问题的能力;改革实习的考核方法,采用"动态"与"静态"考核相结合的模式,调动教与学两方面的积极性,努力提高认识实习的教学质量;在实习中还注重体现绿色化工的时代特色,潜移默化地培养学生环境友好的意识。     

元认知提示语指导下的数学师范生解题教学技能培养

元认知提示语是教师针对学生生动活泼的元认知活动的提问,若将其运用到中学数学解题教学之中,则能有效地改观解题教学重"解"轻"学解"的现状。本文介绍了将元认知提示语运用到数学师范生解题教学技能培养上的具体策略,并结合例题作了解题教学示范。     

基于四轴运动控制教学平台的多元实践体系改革

针对高等教育教学中重理论、轻实践,未注重学生创新能力以及综合能力培养等问题,设计了一款可模拟实际工业检测分类装置的运动控制教学平台。该平台不但能够很好地模拟实际的工业场景,实现基本的运动控制功能,还具有很好的开放性和可扩展性。运动控制教学平台既可用于随堂常规实践,也可用于注重学生创新能力及综合思维能力培养的课程设计和毕业设计,形成多元化的实践教学体系。在加深学生对所学知识理解的基础上,充分锻炼他们的创新能力、解决问题的能力以及工程实践能力,培养真正适应于社会的工程应用型人才。     

反思型异步学习模式中的学生参与度研究

反思型异步网络学习模式是指学生在面对面的教师讲授、小组协作或在线阅读文本、观看视频、探究解决问题等学习活动后,采用记录笔记和日记、发表评论和留言等方式来内化知识,反思学习过程的一种课余补充式网络学习模式.此种模式中,学生的在线参与可以分为学习型参与和交流型参与.利用行动研究法和内容分析法,借助Blog工具研究者对该模式开展实证研究,制定出学生在线参与度的评价标准,并试图分析参与度与学业成绩的相关性,以此说明提高参与度的重要意义.利用社会网络分析方法,借助Ucinet软件研究者对该模式中交流型参与的网络关系进行分析,探讨社群网络结构和影响交流型参与的因素,并给出提高学生参与度措施的具体策略.     

The Design of Hypermedia Tools for Learning: Fostering Conceptual Change and Transfer of Complex Scientific Knowledge

A central premise of this article is that hypermedia tools may be developed for case and problem-centered learning in order to achieve significant learning outcomes such as deep conceptual understanding, conceptual change, and knowledge transfer. An approach for developing hypermedia case and problem-centered knowledge resources is proposed-the knowledge mediator framework (KMF)-which consists of design elements and learning activities that have specific sociocognitive theoretical and research rationales. A proof-of-concept study is then discussed; it involved high school students using a hypermedia system based on the main features of the KMF to learn neo-Darwinian evolutionary biology. Students using the experimental hypermedia system were found to change their evolutionary biology problem-solving models, and to continue to use expert-like models even 1 year after using the system. The use of the KMF to develop hypermedia learning materials in other domains and for constructive student projects is also considered. Overall, it is hoped that the framework and research outlined in this article may contribute to design and pedagogical principles for hypermedia learning tools that help students construct rich and useful understandings of challenging knowledge.     

Learning problem-solving through making games at the game design and learning summer program

Today’s complex and fast-evolving world necessitates young students to possess design and problem-solving skills more than ever. One alternative method of teaching children problem-solving or thinking skills has been using computer programming, and more recently, game-design tasks. In this pre-experimental study, a group of middle school students (n = 18) with an age average of 12.6 attended a game-design summer program for 10 days. Students were assessed in their problem-solving skills, specifically in system analysis and design, decision-making, and troubleshooting domains, at the beginning and end of the program. The results indicated that there were significant improvements in students’ problem-solving skills after attending the summer program, Wilks’ Λ = .258, F (3, 15) = 14.397, p < .001, η ² = .742. For system analysis and design, and decision-making follow-up t-tests pointed to large and medium effect sizes, while for troubleshooting the gains were not significant. This study is a contributes to the growing body of literature investigating the benefits of designing games for young children by adding that game-design activities can be suitable venues for young children to learn and practice problem-solving skills.