UMASST: A New Teaching Tool for Stress State Transformation

This paper presents UMASST, the UMASS Stress State Transformation tutor. UMASST is a multimedia tutor based on active engagement of the learner and the use of visualization. The development of UMASST was informed by cognitive models of human reasoning, research on how people learn and computing technology. As a multimedia Director® and web-based application with knowledge-centered and assessment-centered modules, the UMASST targets improving understanding and mastery of transformation of stress states in mechanics of materials. In the knowledge-centered modules learners receive in-depth information on physical meaning and real-life applications of stress state transformations before their understanding is assessed in interactive workshops. The assessment-centered modules assist novices in assessing themselves on the subject domain. Assessment results show that the current efficacy of the UMASST tutor is above that of in-class lectures. Future work will include a learner-centered module customizing learning process by considering learners’ individual backgrounds.Copyright © 2003 by ASME