Course overview
In this course the students are introduced to the units used in measurement, principles, laws, and concepts of physics. The course aims to improve the physics background of students enrolled in engineering programs. It develops fundamental knowledge that is necessary in other subjects of engineering curricula. The course covers topics on mechanics, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics. Upon completion of the course students are able to understand the concepts of basics and vector quantities and to apply the new knowledge to related fields. Students further are able to understand and apply concepts related to kinematics, law of motion, rotational equilibrium, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics.
Participants in piloting
This is a core, compulsory course for students enrolled in the Diploma in Electrical Engineering or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Programs at Universiti Tenaga Nasional. The course is part of the 1st year curriculum. On average, a total of 50 – 80 students attend this course every semester. It bears 3 credit points that correspond to a 3 hour lecture each week.
Use of ALIEN services and tools
One of the topics addressed through active learning methods is thermodynamics. For this activity, students were given learning resources in the form of lecture notes or lecture videos. The problems used in the course are also uploaded onto the ALIEN problem-based platform so that the students can easily access them. The ALIEN platform further allowed the sharing of problems among instructors.
The learning objective of the activity was to develop understanding on basic thermodynamic terms. The activity helped students build familiarity on the field of thermodynamics. It was particularly useful for students that attended thermodynamics learning activities for the first time, and so were not familiar with core related concepts. The activity took place at the end of the semester, when familiarity with the rest of the syllabus had already been developed.
One of the challenges faced by students in engineering programs is to understand the different use of the term “system” in mechanics and in thermodynamics. In mechanics, the term system refers to mass, strings, and pulleys. In thermodynamics, it refers to gas, liquids, cylindrical containers, and pistons. For this activity, students were divided into groups of 3 – 4 individuals and were required to complete a crossword puzzle. At the beginning of the session, each group was asked to actively search for keywords or descriptions of terms in lecture notes or lecture videos. Students achieved this by skimming through lecture notes or skipping to time stamps in lecture videos. Team members took leadership in researching specific subtopics or terms. Students researching a specific topic became the group “experts” in this area. Group members were required to complete the crossword puzzle using the hints provided. At the end of the activity, they were required to self-evaluate by checking the number of correct words in their solution. Group members were further asked to discuss the scientific terms. Finally, the instructor explained in detail the definition of thermodynamic terms.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the activity took place on-line. Groups were allowed to record their discussions as proof of participation. Varieties of the activity may also be designed. For example, the activity may be implemented individually or in groups. It may also be untimed or timed activity with early finisher awards.
