Founded 1870 | Rolla, Missouri Abner Chen, Ph.D. Assistant Teaching Professor Department of Civil,...

Founded 1870 | Rolla, Missouri

Abner Chen, Ph.D.Assistant Teaching Professor

Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental EngineeringMissouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, Missouri, USAchenchi@mst.edu

Implementing Real-World Examples into the Main Framework of Design Courses

2013 annual Teaching and Learning Technology Conference

Capstone Design Course Assessments: An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics,

science, and engineering An ability to design a system, components, or process

to meet desired needs An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering

problems An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams An ability to communicate effectively

Why did I do this research?

Theory Practice

Objective

Civil Engineering

Structural EngineeringGeotechnical EngineeringEnvironmental EngineeringMaterials EngineeringTransportation EngineeringConstruction Engineering

Prerequisite requirements

Statics

Mechanics of

Materials

Structural Analysis

Structural Design

Learning objective

Statics

Mechanics of

Materials

Structural Analysis

Structural

Design

Why did I do this research?

http://www.oldfortchurch.com/news_detail.php?news_id=21

Traditional Teaching MethodDeductive

Proposed Teaching Method Inductive

1. Inquiry-based learning2. Problem-based learning

Comparisons of Teaching Methods

Deductive Teaching Method

Traditional Teaching Method

TheoryDesign formul

a

Example

Steel Column Design

TheoryDesign formul

a

Example

2

2π

L

EIPE

yF

F

cr F.F e

y

6580

2

2π

rKL

EFe

15' 15'

x

x

x x

y

y

yy

Bending about x-axisBending about y-axis

Anticipated Learning Outcome

Design

Project

Statics

Mechanics of

Materials

Structural

Analysis

Structural

Design

Inductive Teaching Method

Steel Column Design

Inductive Teaching Method Inquiry-based learning

Discussion – Column strength (Mechanics of Materials)

Material properties Cross-sectional area Column will bend when it fails

Buckling Theory Design Formula

2

2π

L

EIPE

Steel Column Design

Problem-based learning Real-world design example

Determine loads Load path Determine member force Design

Proposed Teaching Method

Real-World Example

Statics

Mechanics of

Materials

Structural Analysis

Structural Design

Team Work

Used Google document to share information and ideas

Students worked together to solve a real-world design problem

Results

Help students to:See the big pictureSee connection between theory and

practiceBecome an effective team player

See improvements in students’ performance

Summary

Applied inductive teaching method Inquiry-Based LearningProblem-Based Learning – Real world

examples Google Document – Think and share Teamwork

Contact Information: chenchi@mst.edu

QUESTIONS?