A curriculum reform in fluid mechanics for the millennial generation

Abstract

Learning habit of new generations of students growing up with cell phone, social media and video games are significantly different from that of the educators preparing them for the future workplace. Effectiveness of traditional lecture based class room are questioned by educators, parents, industry and government. In the field of science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM), besides class room teaching method, importance of hands-on learning underscores the need for reform of curriculum. This paper studies need for graduate knowledge and skill in fluid mechanics area and presents an ongoing curriculum reform process. A multi-mode student learning process is developed and course is reformed to support an interactive pedagogical methodology. Beyond current teaching methods, tools are developed to foster a flexible inductive learning through hands-on applications and online learning tools. A multipurpose laboratory equipped with fluid power process, sensors, data acquisition system, and application programs are being developed. A series of laboratory practices based on use of fluid mechanics principles in industrial applications would provide students a strong theoretical foundation on the subject covered in the class, and create opportunity to practice current industrial methods prior to graduation. These practices with industrial processes, sensors, data acquisition hardware, and application programs in the laboratory will enhance technical skills of program graduates. Finally, the project evaluation, assessment, and dissemination process for monitoring and evaluating project activities, outcomes assessment of student learning and feedback for continuous curriculum improvement is presented. Keywords— Hands-on practice, adaptive learning, inductive learning, fluid mechanics, fluid power Digital Object Identifier (DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.18687/LACCEI2015.1.1.077 ISBN: 13 978-0-9822896-8-6 ISSN: 2414-6668 A Curriculum Reform in Fluid Mechanics for the Millennial Generation Alamgir A. Choudhury, Ph.D., Jorge Rodriguez, Ph.D. EDMMS Department, Western Michigan University, USA alamgir.choudhury@wmich.edu , Jorge.rodriguez@wmich.edu Abstract: Learning habit of new generations of students growing Learning habit of new generations of students growing up with cell phone, social media and video games are significantly different from that of the educators preparing them for the future workplace. Effectiveness of traditional lecture based class room are questioned by educators, parents, industry and government. In the field of science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM), besides class room teaching method, importance of hands-on learning underscores the need for reform of curriculum. This paper studies need for graduate knowledge and skill in fluid mechanics area and presents an ongoing curriculum reform process. A multi-mode student learning process is developed and course is reformed to support an interactive pedagogical methodology. Beyond current teaching methods, tools are developed to foster a flexible inductive learning through hands-on applications and online learning tools. A multipurpose laboratory equipped with fluid power process, sensors, data acquisition system, and application programs are being developed. A series of laboratory practices based on use of fluid mechanics principles in industrial applications would provide students a strong theoretical foundation on the subject covered in the class, and create opportunity to practice current industrial methods prior to graduation. These practices with industrial processes, sensors, data acquisition hardware, and application programs in the laboratory will enhance technical skills of program graduates. Finally, the project evaluation, assessment, and dissemination process for monitoring and evaluating project activities, outcomes assessment of student learning and feedback for continuous curriculum improvement is presented.