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An Interactive Visual Environment For Scientific Problem Solving, Georg F. Mauer

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Science and engineering students do not typically receive explicit training in scientific problem solving, i.e. applying science principles to specific situations. Students’ problem solving skills often show little improvement throughout their course of studies. This paper describes a structured, graphical, interactive (GUI) learning environment, which presents problems and tools for analysis in systematic and logical order, and encourages the student to develop the solution path in the manner of an experienced expert. The learning environment’s subject area is Engineering Dynamics, which was selected for its systematic structure and its early (usually sophomore) place in the undergraduate curriculum. The software presents …