Scenario Based Learning Approach In Teaching Statics

This paper describes the initiatives currently underway at Cal Poly, Pomona to develop and implement a scenario-based learning approach to teach major concepts in statics. Statics is generally the first engineering course taken by most engineering students. The course is typically taught in lecture format, although several schools have been adopting a laboratory component. Statics is a prerequisite for many courses and materials covered in statics are crucial to just about every subsequent course that students will take. Yet, it is very common to see that students taking dynamics or mechanics of material lack basic skills such as drawing free body diagrams even though all of them completed statics and many of them even got good grades. Clearly, there has been little knowledge retention. We believe scenario-based learning approach offers an effective way of engaging learners and building competency mastery. This paper describes our experience in implementing scenario-based learning approach.