Using everyday engineering examples to engage learners on a massive open online course



Patterson, Eann A ORCID: 0000-0003-4397-2160
(2021) Using everyday engineering examples to engage learners on a massive open online course. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION, 49 (1). pp. 3-24.

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Abstract

<jats:p> A massive open online course on the laws of thermodynamics has been designed using the 5Es (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) lesson planning methodology and delivered using everyday engineering examples to provide familiar contexts for both a global cohort of more than 3000 learners ranging in age from teenagers to septuagenarians in 137 different countries plus a large class of 355 university undergraduates. In addition to the structured pedagogy, the massive open online course included innovations in the use of practical exercises, that could be performed in the learner’s kitchen, and worked examples to enhance the learning experience. The massive open online course was provided in parallel with an introductory undergraduate course and as an additional learning resource for the undergraduate students. A little less than one-fifth of the undergraduates participated in the massive open online course and just over half of these responded that it would be an acceptable substitute for traditional lectures. The percentage completing the massive open online course was relatively high at 28% compared to 21% for other massive open online courses on the same platform, which is attributed to the pedagogy and strong support for social learning based on a survey of fully participating learners in the last week of the five-week course. </jats:p>

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Massive open online course, thermodynamics, everyday examples, constructionist learning, engineering, undergraduate, context, practical exercises, social learning
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 14 Nov 2018 10:59
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 01:13
DOI: 10.1177/0306419018818551
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3028642