A Hybrid Online/Lectures Teaching Model for Mechanics of Structures Courses Involving New Learning Spaces

The main objective of this work is to show the implementation of a model that involves the availability of online videos and lectures in a newly designed classroom called the “Innovate Room” at our university. The combination of flipped learning as well as the use of such a learning space make the overall student experience a memorable one when compared to a traditional lecture model in courses that are usually difficult for most students of Architecture and Civil Engineering. The selected courses for this study are Mechanics of Structures courses with students of Architecture and Civil Engineering during their second year. The aspects analyzed in this work include the student’s perception on the use of a new learning space, the use of flipped learning, collaborative work during sessions and the use of experiments and models during those classroom sessions. Results indicate a very positive perception by the students of the groups taught with this model and how this model has positively affected student satisfaction and passing rate since its incorporation. The results of this work can be applied in designing new teaching models that involve the design of new spaces for engineering education, and we think it can improve the engagement of new generations of Engineering students in the twenty-first century.