Touchpad in Education: Dynamic Learning Framework Assessment and Content Development for the Undergraduate Fluid Mechanics

This paper presents a dynamic learning framework (DLF) based on dynamic course contents and assessment methods using latest web-based technologies with keeping in mind the recent advancement in touchpad computing devices (such as IPAD and Android based tablets). In the DLF framework, the effectiveness is assessed via evaluating the learning outcomes of increasing the learnability of high level concepts in the Bloom’s Taxonomy of cognitive learning. It proposes to address the challenges is creating a fluid mechanics module that incorporates all levels of the Bloom’s cognitive taxonomy. This is achieved via integration of mathematical, conceptual and visual contents. The lower level concepts (i.e., Remembering, Understanding, and Applying) are computerized and tested using Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) algorithm. Our targeted audiences are from a predominantly Hispanic cultural setting and in undergraduate mechanical engineering courses. To capitalize on unique cultural setting and linguistic needs, the assessment is prepared in bi-lingual (Spanish and English) with localized problems. A pre-assessment of students’ learning styles was performed to assess their learning preference and the presentation was tuned to average audiences. It was observed that about 10% of the students used bi-lingual instructions in the exam which was conducted as an extra-credit option to paper based exam in order to assess the DLF framework. Students were also asked to contribute questions to generate a question database with localized problems.Copyright © 2013 by ASME