ERIC Number: EJ1430411
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Jul
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2730-5937
EISSN: EISSN-2730-5945
Available Date: N/A
Incorporating Human Body Variance in an Analytically Focused Undergraduate Biomechanics Course
Biomedical Engineering Education, v3 n2 p345-351 2023
Human bodies vary widely: height, weight, blood volume, handedness, strength, and variations from disabilities, trauma, genetics, etc. Engineers must be trained to include human variance when designing human-interactive systems. Typically, this is not incorporated into mathematical and modeling focused courses. In the spring of 2019, one of three sections of an introduction to biomechanics course was modified to adopt interactive group problem solving and add human body parameter variation to the problems that students solved. Problems were solved for multiple body sizes. Initial evidence suggests this was successful in increasing students' consideration of human variation and user needs in mathematical modeling and in increasing their mention of specific body parameters and parameter variation. This can be implemented by a wide variety of instructors without special training in pedagogy or in universal design, especially when a course already features interactive small group problem solving, even during a large lecture by having students' pair to solve equations briefly. Future steps might consider other parameters of diversity, inclusion, or equity topics. We were pleased to see that small changes in pedagogical approach can pay significant dividends encouraging students to situate analytic work in realistic engineering contexts.
Descriptors: Human Body, Biomechanics, Cooperative Learning, Problem Solving, Body Composition, Engineering, Design, Teaching Methods, Undergraduate Study
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link-springer-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1730262
Author Affiliations: N/A