Using technology for concepts learning and rapid feedback in statics

In this project our goal is to improve student learning in the foundation mechanics course Statics as well as improve knowledge retention (durability) and knowledge application in a different environment (transferability). We aim to do this by providing rapid feedback to students of their understanding of key concepts and skills being presented. The feedback system acts as the focal point and catalyst to encourage students to assist each other in correcting misconceptions or deepening each other's understanding of the topic or skill at hand. Furthermore, the system allows the professor to assess the students' level of comprehension (or misconception) in a just-in-time fashion, and thus guide his or her pacing and coverage of the material. The rapid feedback is enabled through wireless-networked handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) or flashcards. In the first two years of the study, we have implemented the system in two sections of Statics using a crossover design of experiment, where one section receives the rapid feedback 'treatment' (i.e., use of the PDAs) while the other (the 'control' group) receives rapid feedback on the exact same topics, but only through the use of flashcards instead of PDAs. After a predetermined period, the sections swap their feedback treatment. Several swaps are achieved during the course, and in this manner each student acts as his or her own experimental control to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. This paper focuses on implementation and feedback methods in statics, a brief summary of statistical analysis, results of student learning and use of feedback in follow-on courses.