ERIC Number: ED118436
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1975-Jun
Pages: 18
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The Development of a Computerized Model for Teaching Engineering Statistics.
Johnson, John W.
Engineering mechanics is recognized as one of the core subject matter areas of most engineering and technology educational programs. The study of mechanics and particularly the applications of problem solving to rigid bodies at rest (statics) has proven to be troublesome to students. Systematic problem solving includes analysis, synthesis, and calculations. There is evidence to indicate that students gain broader insights into analysis and synthesis when freed from detailed computational method. The computerized model relieves the students of the mechanics of calculation and checks the students' analysis and synthesis of a broad range of statics problems on an individualized basis. The function and structure of the model is discussed. Two populations of students were used in testing the model. One group consisted of eight sophomore engineering students, who had completed a computer programming course. The second group consisted of 27 freshman technology students who had not completed a computer programming course. The overall attitudes of both groups were positive toward the model on the pretest. Engineering students became more positive on the posttest. Technology students became significantly negative on the posttest. It was suggested that technology students probably would have gained more from the model if they also had had to turn in problems. (LS)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers
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Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Engineering Education (Ft. Collins, Colorado, June 16-19, 1975)