A multimodal approach to classroom instruction: an example from a process control class

• Autores: S. S. Moor Moor, P. R. Piergiovanni
• Localización: The International journal of engineering education, ISSN-e 0949-149X, Vol. 26, no. 6, 2010, págs. 1428-1444
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The use of active, cooperative and inductive learning approaches has been shown to be beneficial to student learning. Traditionalengineering activities of projects, simulation exercises and laboratories provide cooperative and active experiences outside theclassroom. By bringing these traditional engineering activities into the classroom a multimodal approach to education can be used wherea variety of activities enhance the classroom experience. A process control course has been developed that integrates the use ofexperimental kits, simulations, problem solving exercises and instructor content delivery in a single setting. In this setting any of theabove modes of instruction can be used as is appropriate to the progress of the course. Multiple assessments have been used to evaluateand refine the modular kits and the multimodal approach of this class. These assessments include observations by different instructors,anonymous student surveys, student focus groups, and observed student problem solving sessions. Overall the kits and the integratedapproach have had a positive effect on the class. Student focus groups brought up all of the approaches used when asked what helpedthem to understand and remember the material. Students like the integration of kits and simulation in the classroom setting and haveshown a particular preference for class sessions where a short activity is used to raise an issue and then followed up with detailedcontent on the issue. For these sessions students have suggested returning to the experimental kits at the end of the section—encouraging instructors toward a learning cycle approach.