MDSolids: Software to Bridge the Gap Between Lectures and Homework in Mechanics of Materials
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| Audience/Grade: | College Freshman-College Sophomore |
| Discipline(s): |
Engineering Education Research Engineering Mechanics General Engineering, Engineering Science |
| Special Topic(s): |
TUES NSF Projects - Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM |
| Learning Resource Type: |
Reference - Educational Research Paper |
| Media Type: |
Unknown |
| Author(s): |
Timothy A. Philpot |
| Description: | Abstract: "Current educational software for the mechanics of materials course is typically presented as tutorials, worksheets, or basic analysis packages. A new software package, called MDSolids, presents an alternative to these types of products. MDSolids is conceived as a tool to help students solve and understand homework problems typically used in the mechanics of materials course. The software is versatile, graphic, informative, and very easy to use. MDSolids is being used at a number of schools around the world, and feedback from users has been uniformly positive and enthusiastic." citation: Int. J. Engng Ed. Vol. 16, No. 5, pp. 401±407, 2000. |
| Rating: |
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| Related Resources | |
| References: |
MDSolids: Educational Software for Mechanics of Materials |
| Usage Tip | |
| Related ABET Criteria: |
(a) Apply mathematics, science, and engineering |
| Intervention(s): |
Animation Interactive Multimedia Simulation |
| Use of Resource: |
Conclusions "MDSolids has proven to be a valuable addition to the mechanics of materials courses at Murray State University, and it is being used by professors and students around the world. The software was conceived as a tool to help students to bridge the gap between topics presented in lectures and the application of that theory in solving problems commonly used in mechanics of materials homework assignments. Using MDSolids, students get numerical, visual, and textual results and details pertinent to a wide range of problems. Since MDSolids is so easy-touse and because it provides ample feedback, students are encouraged to attempt more mechanics problems and to explore what-if variations. This extra repetition can help students develop engineering intuition and greater confidence in their problem-solving skills. MDSolids has been a successful supplement to help students attain mastery of the knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, and synthesis levels of the learning process." |
| Difficulty: |
Medium |
| Version Info | |
| Publication Date: | November 2000 |
| Platform/Format: |
Cross Platform |
| Cost: |
Free |
| Download URL: | http://www.ijee.dit.ie/articles/Vol16-5/IJEE1136.pdf |
| Metadata: |
IEEE LOM Record |
| Collection: |
International Journal of Engineering Education
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