Application of a conceptual hydrologic model in teaching hydrologic processes

• Autores: Amir Aghakouchak, Emad Habib
• Localización: The International journal of engineering education, ISSN-e 0949-149X, Vol. 26, no. Extra 4, 2010, págs. 963-973
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • In this study, a hands-on modeling tool is developed for students in civil engineering and earth science disciplines to help them learn thefundamentals of hydrologic processes and basic concepts of model calibration and sensitivity analysis, and practice conceptual thinkingin solving and analysis of engineering problems. This modeling tool aims to provide an interdisciplinary application-oriented learningenvironment that introduces the hydrologic phenomena through the use of a simplified conceptual hydrologic model. The modeling toolwas introduced in an upper-level civil engineering course and students were asked to submit their feedback before and after using themodeling tool through the Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) online system to gauge improvement in their learning. TheSALG report showed that the hands-on approach significantly added to students’ learning and provided them with better understandingof interconnected hydrologic processes. Furthermore, students gained knowledge in areas that are not commonly taught in hydrologylectures (e.g. calibration, sensitivity analysis, etc). Based on the findings, some recommendations are given for further improvements inthe use of hydrologic models as interactive tools for teaching complex and interconnected hydrologic concepts and inspiring studentstowards postgraduate education or future professional career.