CIVL

Enhanced Teaching and Learning of Civil Engineering Drafting Using Multimedia Tools

Project Overview
Project Title	Enhanced Teaching and Learning of Civil Engineering Drafting Using Multimedia Tools
Project Leader	Prof J S Kuang & Thomas W C Hu
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Feb 2004 - Jan 2006
Project Description	In this project, a set of multimedia interactive tools were developed to help students visualize 3D drawing examples and the teaching approach included screen capture movies with narration and on-screen tips to explain software operations, enabling students to view them at their own pace, with appropriate assessment methods. The course content was re-examined and rewritten so that the CAD tools could be applied to other civil engineering courses. This promoted knowledge transfer from the drawing class to other areas. The project made it possible to have self-taught, online CAD courses for students.
Project Outcome	A series of 3D animation videos were produced for various civil engineering structures such as footings, columns and beams to supplement traditional 2D teaching materials. In similar drawing classes offered elsewhere, these important yet complicated types of structures are seldom presented in 3D, not to mention the use of dynamic illustration as done here at HKUST. A collection of screen capture movies were also produced to supplement traditional teaching material on most of the CAD commands covered in this course. The course structure has also been re-designed to optimize the incorporation of the technological developments. The civil engineering construction knowledge is imparted first, with the aid of animation videos. Only after the students gain familiarity with the concrete structures will they start to learn how to draw, as students must clearly understand what they are drawing before trying to master the use of CAD programs. Then, during the teaching of CAD, the use of screen capture videos successfully removed the problem of having to “progress at the pace of the slowest student”. As compared to the old approach, which was to cover AutoCAD first, then structural details, the new sequence should be more beneficial to students. A student questionnaire was also given to assess the effectiveness of the aforementioned courseware developed, at the end of Fall 2005. The results were positive.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Third \| Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Effectiveness of Using Different Teaching Tools for Classroom Teaching

Project Overview
Project Title	Effectiveness of Using Different Teaching Tools for Classroom Teaching
Project Leader	Prof Irene M C LO
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Jan 2004 - Dec 2004
Project Description	A variety of teaching tools are needed to clearly and comprehensively explain the essence of academic theories. Ideally they should be integrated into daily life and motivate students to learn. These tools can be diagrams, models, worked examples, short video clips, 3D computer animations, and ill-structured examples. However, their effectiveness on learning is unknown and thus it is important to evaluate this. The findings from this evaluation of innovative teaching tools shed light on HK students’ learning styles, helping all faculty in preparing their teaching materials. The study was carried out in three phases, delivering classroom teaching by using each of the above tools, conducting a quiz and a survey after each lesson and analyzing the quiz and survey results, and comparing the effectiveness of each tool.
Project Outcome	Delivered an experimental classroom teaching by using six different teaching tools. Conducted quiz and survey after the classroom teaching. Analyzed the results of the quiz and survey and to compare the effectiveness of each teaching tool. Presented and shared our findings at the Teaching and Learning Symposium: Lo, I. M. C. and Young, B. (2004). “Investigation of the Effectiveness of Different Teaching Tools”, Proceedings of the Second Teaching and Learning Symposium, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong. Prepared a full paper and submitted it to an international journal: Lo, I. M. C. and Young, B. (2004). “Effectiveness of Classroom Lecture using Different Teaching Tools”, International Journal of Engineering Education (Submitted). The paper is currently under review.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

3D Visualization and Simulation of Structures using Finite Element Analysis for Teaching

Project Overview
Project Title	3D Visualization and Simulation of Structures using Finite Element Analysis for Teaching
Project Leader	Prof Ben Young
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Mar 2004 - Jun 2005
Project Description	Most classroom teaching is conducted using transparencies and PowerPoint presentations to deliver the lecture material, which are constrained to 2D. However, for most engineering concepts, it is necessary to show the object in 3D. For instance, the stresses, strains and deformations of an object are the important parameters in illustratating structural behaviour when it was subject to loading. However, these phenomena are too abstract to delineate simply using transparencies and PowerPoint presentations. The primary objective of this project was to develop 3D visualization and simulation of structures using finite element analysis to enhance student understanding. In the 3D computer animation, the stresses, strains and deformations of a structure were clearly shown. Different stress levels were shown in different colours, and the deformations could be physically seen in the animations. The 3D computer animation could be uploaded to the web for adoption in other engineering courses.
Project Outcome	Improvement in students learning of structural engineering courses. Video clips showing the stresses, strains, actual deformations and collapse of 3D structures. Change in students attitude for learning engineering courses consist of complex 3D structures.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Team-based Supplemental Instruction in an Engineering Course on Grand Challenges

Project Overview
Project Title	Team-based Supplemental Instruction in an Engineering Course on Grand Challenges
Project Leader	Prof Neil Mickleborough and Prof Edmond Ko
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL & E²I
Project Duration	Jan 2012 - Dec 2013
Project Description	The project proposed an approach in which students were recruited and trained as 'peer team coaches'. The idea was to take the Supplemental Instruction model for senior students acted as role models to junior students, and extended it to team-based learning. It aimed at developing students' problem-solving, teamwork, leadership , pedagogical and coaching skills.
Project Outcome	The project led to an enhancement in student learning. After the course, students were able to demonstrate problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills. Peer tutors acquired pedagogical and coaching skills. Deliverables include: Training materials for peer tutors Assessment rubrics Sharing of project results within HKUST to promote the inquiry-based pedagogies
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Leadership Development for Engineering Students

Project Overview
Project Title	Leadership Development for Engineering Students
Project Leader	Prof Kam Tim Tse
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Feb 2012 - Jan 2014
Project Description	The project aimed to strengthen the leadership training of students in the present curriculum by organizing group projects that were designed based on real consultant projects. The project teams were established from engineering students of various years; which senior students were the team leaders who had to mobilize the teammates from junior students to complete the projects.
Project Outcome	The major outcomes and deliverables of the project are: a set of lecture note on leadership attributes and skills; three sets of questionnaires to measure the leadership skill, styles and matrix; leadership rubrics particularly suitable for engineering students.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Read more about Leadership Development for Engineering Students
3030 reads

Less Mathematics Anxiety and More Engineering: the Integration of Graphing Calculators with Computer Algebra Systems (GCCAS) in Engineering Courses

Project Overview
Project Title	Less Mathematics Anxiety and More Engineering: the Integration of Graphing Calculators with Computer Algebra Systems (GCCAS) in Engineering Courses
Project Leader	Prof Thomas WC Hu and Prof Wenjing Ye
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL & MECH
Project Duration	Jul 2011 - May 2013
Project Description	This project promoted the use of Graphing Calculators with Computer Algebra Systems (GCCAS) in handling mathematical tasks in engineering courses that cannot be done efficiently by hand and/or ordinary calculators. Teaching materials and problem sets were developed to train students on the engineering applications of GCCAS. In addition, a web-based discussion group in Facebook was developed for students and instructors of engineering and science courses to communicate on using GCCAS.
Project Outcome	New methods for solving mechanics problems, further automating previously CAS-assisted approaches (e.g. complete automation of the assembly procedure for matrix truss analysis), and their step-by-step illustration in various CIVL course materials; Revised mechanics problem sets, quizzes and exams which incorporate more in-depth treatment of popular topics in statics, dynamics and engineering surveying; Student survey responses and control-group test data verifying the positive impact of using computer algebra systems to alleviate mathematical burden in engineering classes; Innovative supplementary course materials to treat MECH 2010 homework problmes in a non-traditional, CAS-assisted way.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Eliminating Teaching and Learning Barriers for Improved Learning Outcomes in a Class with Students of Diverse Academic Backgrounds by Employing a Student-Centered Problem-Based Teaching and Learning Method

Project Overview
Project Title	Eliminating Teaching and Learning Barriers for Improved Learning Outcomes in a Class with Students of Diverse Academic Backgrounds by Employing a Student-Centered Problem-Based Teaching and Learning Method
Project Leader	Prof Xueqing Zhang
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Jul 2011 - Jun 2013
Project Description	This project employed a student-centered problem-based teaching and learning method (PBTL) to a sample course. With a review of PBTL practices in other universities, a number of interactive teaching and learning resources were developed, including suites of problems, guidelines for in-class exercises, student teamwork, in-class presentations and oral presentations. Special focus was placed on how to develop the problems for PBTL in the view of the diverse student backgrounds to stimulate and situate learning with increased degree of relevance and rigor.
Project Outcome	Developed a student-centered problem-based teaching and learning methodology for the civil engineering courses/programs Developed resources for the implementation of the student-centered problem-based teaching and learning methodology, e.g., suites of problems and guidelines for in-class exercises, student team work, in-class discussions and oral presentations Developed innovative methods for the assessment of student learning outcomes, including student’s self-evaluation, student’s peer-evaluation, and instructor’s continuous evaluation Implemented the student-centered problem-based teaching and learning methodology in two sample courses, CIVL5210 and CIVL4250 Created an interactive teaching-learning environment for two sample courses CIVL5210 and CIVL4250
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Developing a Web-enabled Innovative Learning Outcome Assessment System for Final Year Projects in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Project Overview
Project Title	Developing a Web-enabled Innovative Learning Outcome Assessment System for Final Year Projects in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Project Leader	Prof Xueqing Zhang
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Mar 2010 - Oct 2011
Project Description	This project was funded to complete the preparation stage of the development of the web-based assessment system. It thus developed an outcome-based assessment system for the final-year projects (FYPs) of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. In order to facilitate both teachers and students to supervise and complete the FYPs under an outcome-based framework, the system included the outcome-based assessment criteria, evaluation methods and tools for FYP, information related to the teaching and learning methodology of outcome-based FYPs, expected outcomes for all teaching and research areas in the two BEng programs, key FYP training stages and procedures, training areas and teaching plans/strategies.
Project Outcome	The current FYP operation practices in two CIVL BEng programs have been reviewed. Outcome-based FYP practices in universities in both Hong Kong and overseas have been reviewed. A set of desired generic and professional learning outcomes for FYPs in civil engineering have been established. Key learning areas in different FYP stages that contribute to the defined learning outcomes have been identified. Multiple indicators (attributes) that measure the levels of the generic and professional learning outcomes obtained from FYPs have been developed. A multi-attribute FYP learning outcome assessment system has been developed.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Online Virtual Soil Lab

Project Overview
Project Title	Online Virtual Soil Lab
Project Leader	Prof Yu Hsing Wang
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Nov 2009 - Jan 2012
Project Description	To facilitate student learning in understanding the complicated but important basic concepts of soil behavior in a large-class setting, this projec tbuilt an online virtual soil lab to consolidate students’ knowledge through exploring soil behavior, animated critical-state modeling, videos of soil experiments and a series of self-assessed quizzes in different topics and levels.
Project Outcome	An online virtual soil lab, inlcuding animated contents, videos and self-tests, was developed.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Read more about Online Virtual Soil Lab
3055 reads

Adopting Computer Algebra Systems in Engineering Education: Curriculum and Assessment Issues

Project Overview
Project Title	Adopting Computer Algebra Systems in Engineering Education: Curriculum and Assessment Issues
Project Leader	Prof Thomas WC Hu and Prof Xueqing Zhang
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
Project Description	This project tried to reform the assessment focus of engineering courses with permission and encouragement using CAS (computer algebra system) calculators in examination to enhance students' problem solving skills with more complex, realistic and creative modeling questions.
Project Outcome	Study on the CIVL exam questions of universities was conducted. New CAS-related teaching and learning materials were developed. Assessment were re-designed and was implemented in 3 courses.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Pages