The Use of Computer-based Team Assignments as an Effective Tool in Teaching Mechanics

The authors explore and discuss how computer-based assignments (CBAs) are used to promote both a better understanding of engineering mechanics through application of concepts and the development of teamwork and technical writing skills in engineering students at their institution. CBAs start as early as in Statics, the first course in mechanics, and are continued through Mechanics of Materials, a junior-level course. In addition to applying the subject matter from the course through the use of computers to solve relevant, practical, usually open-ended problems, the students learn to work in teams, albeit sometimes with groans and pains. They also develop and improve their technical writing skills in generating the formal technical reports that are required by the CBA, and are occasionally asked to demonstrate technical presentation skills, again with computer-aided audio-visual support. The authors present data in this paper to explore how effective CBAs are in achieving the learning outcomes regarding concept application, teamwork, and technical writing in those mechanics courses.