Traditional, Active and Problem-Based Learning Methods Used to Improve an Undergraduate Biomechanics Course

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Fouad Shady
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Self Assessments ◽  
Enhance Student Learning ◽  
Adaptive Skill

Biomechanics is a core curriculum course taught in many biomedical engineering programs. Biomechanical analysis has become a necessary tool for both industry and research when developing a medical device. Despite its significance both inside and outside of the classroom, most students have demonstrated challenges in effectively mastering biomechanical concepts. Biomechanics requires adaptive skill sets needed to solve a multitude of problems from various disciplines and physiological systems. Many students taking biomechanics have not taken foundational courses that are necessary for in-depth learning and mastery of biomechanics. Consequently, limiting their ability to solve complex problems requiring strong foundations in statics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, and physiology. Active (AL) and problem-based learning (PBL) are techniques that has been widely used in medical education and allow faculty to implement engineering concepts into the context of disease solving real-world medical problems. This study investigates using both traditional and problem-based learning teaching pedagogy to enhance student learning in a senior level undergraduate biomechanics course. Results of this technique have shown an increase in student performance and self-assessments.

Introducing Problem- Based Learning as an Effective Learning Tool to Medical Students: An Approach in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-31
Author(s):  
Fatiha Tasmin Jeenia ◽  
Afroza Hoque ◽  
Mehrunnissa Khanom ◽  
Selim Md Jahangir ◽  
Rozina Hoque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Traditional Curriculum ◽  
Teaching Learning

Background: Bangladesh, A country with scintillating beauty of nature burdened with a dense population. Along with infectious diseases, tropical diseases are also prevalent here with a higher trend of non- communicable diseases as a result of industrialization. Practicing and prescribing as a doctor is a quite challenging profession here particularly when to deal with vast rural populations in a low resource facility. Medical education system is well developed in Bangladesh which follows traditional curriculum of teaching learning. Students are not accustomed with problem-based learning as it does not exist in curriculum. In order to confront with diverse disease pattern and overloaded population in this arduous backdrop of Bangladesh, problem- based learning can be a very effective tool for preparing medical students as an efficient, self- directed and insightful prescriber. This study was a primary step to introduce problem- based learning (PBL) to medical students of Bangladesh to evaluate the effectiveness of PBL in context of Bangladesh. Methods: Around 117 students of 4th year from 6 different medical colleges were randomly assigned for this study. Among them, half of the students attended PBL session for three days on a topic of Pharmacology and other students participated traditional lecture class. Following classes, odds ratio of performance was determined. MCQ, SAQ and total scores of assessment were compared. Comparison of scores was also done between male and female students of PBL group. Results: PBL students performed better than the LBL students. Odds ratio of their assessment performance was 252.08; with 95% confidence interval and lower range 53.89 and upper range 1179.28. The odds ratio showed strong association between PBL and student performance in Bangladesh context. Mean of total score was 30.7 ± 4.3 in PBL group and 17.2 ± 4.8 in LBL group. Total score was significantly higher (p= 0.000) in PBL group. Mean SAQ score in PBL and LBL group was 17.2 ± 2.2 and 5.3 ± 1.9 respectively which was extremely significant (p= 0.000). MCQ score mean was 13.4 ± 3.4 in PBL group versus 11.8 ± 3.7 in LBL group which was significantly higher in PBL group (p= 0.02). Among PBL group, total score and SAQ score was significantly higher in female students over male students. Conclusion: Significant findings of this study revealed PBL as an effective tool in Bangladesh context. Thereby, it is recommended from this study to take approaches for further study and initiative to incorporate PBL in curriculum as well. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Education Vol.12(1) 2021: 22-31

scholarly journals Engineering Education through a Flipped Classroom Model

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Wang ◽  
Adam Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Capstone Project ◽  
Variable Control ◽  
Flipped Classrooms ◽  
Comparison Of The Results ◽  
And Control

Abstract – A flipped classroom model is used to teach a 4th year multi-variable control systems course. This course is a technical elective and is not in the core curriculum. The capstone project is to model and control a nonlinear robot in simulation. The students are interdisciplinary Engineering students (Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer and Electrical). Building upon accepted best practices for flipped classrooms, several additional enhancements are applied and evaluated. The results of student surveys as well as a comparison of the results of student performance in the capstone project between traditional and flipped lecturing techniques are presented. It is believed that the enhancements that were implemented can aid in future flipped classroom initiatives.  

scholarly journals Metode Jaringan Syaraf Tiruan Untuk Prediksi Performa Mahasiswa Pada Pembelajaran Berbasis Problem Based Learning (PBL)

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Badieah Badieah ◽  
Rachmat Gernowo ◽  
Bayu Surarso
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Academic Quality ◽  
Evaluation Team ◽  
Knowledge Variable ◽  
Group Heterogeneity ◽  
Academic Information ◽  
Artificial Neural Network Ann ◽  
Quality In Higher Education ◽  
Hidden Neurons

In order to improve academic quality in higher education, students’ performance evaluation is becoming important. To prevent increasing failure rate in the course, we need a system that is capable of predicting student’s performance in the end of the course. The research used several factors that are considered to affect students' performance on Problem Based Learning (PBL), such as students’ demography, students’ prior knowledge and group heterogeneity.  The method used in the study was Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with backpropagation training algorithm. Total 8 neurons were used as inputs for ANN which were obtained from gender variable (2 neurons), age variable (1 neuron), students’ average knowledge variable (1 neuron), students’ average skill variable (1 neuron) and group heterogeneity variable (3 neurons). Several different ANN architecture were tested in the study using 2, 7 and 12 hidden neurons respectively. Each architecture was trained using various different training parameters in order to find the best ANN architecture. Dataset used  in the research were obtained from Academic Information System in Faculty of Dentistry Unissula which contained Adult and Elderly Diseases Course’s participants from year 2009 to 2013. The ANN output were numeric values which represented students’ performance in Adult and Elderly Diseases Course. The output of this study is a system that is able to predict the student performance in block course. The result shows that using 7 hidden neurons in the network combining with 0.5 ,0.1 and  9000 for learning rate, momentum and epoch respectively, were the best ANN architechture and parameters in the study. The MSE obtained from validation test was 0,011926 with correlation coefficient (R) 0,796879. The prediction system are expected to help faculty and academic evaluation team to conduct actions to improve student’s academic performance and prevent them from failure in the course. 

scholarly journals Measuring the effectiveness of online problem solving for improving academic performance in a probability course

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Antonio González ◽  
Mónica Giuliano ◽  
Silvia N. Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Online Homework ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Technological Diversity ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Written Test

AbstractResearch on impact in student achievement of online homework systems compared to traditional methods is ambivalent. Methodological issues in the study design, besides of technological diversity, can account for this uncertainty. Hypothesis This study aims to estimate the effect size of homework practice with exercises automatically provided by the ‘e-status’ platform, in students from five Engineering programs. Instead of comparing students using the platform with others not using it, we distributed the subject topics into two blocks, and created nine probability problems for each block. After that, the students were randomly assigned to one block and could solve the related exercises through e-status. Teachers and evaluators were masked to the assignation. Five weeks after the assignment, all students answered a written test with questions regarding all topics. The study outcome was the difference between both blocks’ scores obtained from the test. The two groups comprised 163 and 166 students. Of these, 103 and 107 respectively attended the test, while the remainder were imputed with 0. Those assigned to the first block obtained an average outcome of −1.85, while the average in the second block was −3.29 (95% confidence interval of difference, −2.46 to −0.43). During the period in which they had access to the platform before the test, the average total time spent solving problems was less than three hours. Our findings provide evidence that a small amount of active online work can positively impact on student performance.

scholarly journals Assessing Collaborative, Project-based Learning Models in Introductory Science Courses

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Huysken ◽  
Harold Olivey ◽  
Kevin McElmurry ◽  
Ming Gao ◽  
Peter Avis
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Learning Models ◽  
Collaborative Project ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Student Teams ◽  
Introductory Biology Course

Collaborative, project-based learning models have been shown to benefit student learning and engagement in the STEM disciplines. This case study evaluates the use of highly collaborative project- and problem-based learning models in introductory courses in the geosciences and biology. In the geosciences, we developed project-based modules with a strong local focus. Student teams worked on three project-based laboratories dealing with the local geology/geomorphology, water quality of a local stream, and local flooding issues. These replaced traditionally taught laboratories on topographic maps and rivers and streams. Student teams presented project results in lieu of taking a traditional laboratory practical. In biology, we designed a collaborative learning model that incorporated three problem-based learning modules into a first-semester introductory biology course. Students were assigned topics in evolution, cell biology and genetics to research independently during the course of the semester, with each module culminating in a brief presentation on the topic. Modules were designed to mirror concepts being covered in the lecture. Preliminary results suggest that student performance and attitudes towards course material benefitted from this learning model. The authors consider outcomes, benefits, and challenges to students and instructors.

Assessment of student performance in problem-based learning tutorial sessions

1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 818-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosamaria Valle ◽  
lleana Petra ◽  
Adrian Martinez-Gonzaez ◽  
Jose Antonio Rojas-Ramirez ◽  
Sara Morales-Lopez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Problem Based Learning

Development of Faculty Course Assessment Reports for ME Program ABET Accreditation

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanzhong Shawn Duan ◽  
Kurt Bassett
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Program Assessment ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Course Assessment ◽  
Course Objectives ◽  
Program Outcome ◽  
Outcome Criterion ◽  
Assessment Reports

The assessment of program outcomes for ABET accreditation has become a challenge for engineering programs nationwide. Various methods and approaches have been investigated to develop good practices for program assessment. At South Dakota State University (SDSU), an approach called Faculty Course Assessment Reports (FCAR) has been explored for mechanical engineering (ME) program assessment. FCAR provides an assessment tool to correlate the ME program outcomes with the outcomes of the core ME courses, and to evaluate student performance at the course level based on ABET outcome criterion. This process begins with the development of course objectives and outcomes. Then these course objectives and outcomes are directly mapped with the ME program objectives and outcomes respectively. Further the quantitative and qualitative details generated in the FCAR are lined up directly to ABET program outcome a to k criterion through FCAR rubrics. By use of the FCAR process, all ME program outcomes are evaluated at the course level based on the ABET program outcomes. The assessment results are being used for improvement of the ME curriculum. The process was developed to provide an effective tool for the ME program outcome assessment at the course level with reasonable effort.

Analysis of a Feedback Assessment Loop in Engineering Sciences Core Curriculum

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amitabha Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Learning Outcomes Assessment ◽  
Rochester Institute Of Technology ◽  
Engineering Sciences ◽  
Engineering Department ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Behavioral Influences

A formal two-loop learning outcomes assessment process has been evaluated in the mechanical engineering department at Rochester Institute of Technology. This initiative, originally called the Engineering Sciences Core Curriculum (ESCC), provided systematic course learning outcomes and assessment data of student performance in Statics, Mechanics, Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer. This paper reports detailed analyses with some important observations in the Statics-Dynamics sequence to determine obstacles in student performance. New data shows that students’ mastery of Dynamics is affected largely by incorrect interpretations and weak retention of fundamentals in Statics. Further evidence of students’ behavioral influences are discussed requiring a future focus in this area. This report completes the 5 year feedback loop designed to achieve the ESCC goals on the Statics-Dynamics sequence.

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