Achieving coherent and interactive instruction in engineering mechanics

A new interactive learning environment was implemented in the Engineering Statics course at Boston University, where the students now work in peer groups. The new structure provides realtime feedback on the steps taken by the groups to solve the problem. Each group is supplied with a wireless-enabled tablet, allowing the Free Body Diagrams and equilibrium analysis to be drawn. The instructor is able to lead a discussion on common misconceptions about the material based on the shared work. The same instructor in the Spring 2012 semester taught two sections of the course. One section followed the traditional lecture format, while the other section piloted the new format. Both sections received the same assignments, and covered the same example problems and course material. A comparison of student performance and course feedback assessment indicates that the new format improves the students’ comprehension of the course material, motivation, and interest in the course.