Using Interactive Multimedia Tools to Teach Materials Characterization Techniques in the Undergraduate Curriculum
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Using Interactive Multimedia Tools to Teach Materials Characterization Techniques in the Undergraduate Curriculum Karin Prüßner*#, Klaus Pingel+, Jens Becker+, Horst-Peter Dressel*, Alexander Undynko+, Christof Reiner$, Marc Schlosser$, and Hans-Jürgen Christ* *
Institut für Werkstofftechnik, University of Siegen, Germany Institut für Physik, University of Siegen, Germany $ Institut für Anorganische Chemie, University of Siegen, Germany +
#
now at: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
ABSTRACT The paper describes an ongoing project at the University of Siegen to develop multimedia teaching/learning software for materials characterization techniques in an effort to improve the quality of teaching and learning and to increase interest in scientific and engineering subjects in younger students. We have developed a modular web-based teaching platform that uses multimedia tools to provide access to and information about state-of-the-art analytical techniques, visualize complex physical concepts, and use interactive and animated modules to improve student learning. INTRODUCTION While there is a great need for well-educated scientists and engineers in industry and research, the interest of high-school students in these subjects has declined over the past 10 years in Germany and in the US as well as in other highly industrialized nations [1]. The percentage of students who drop out of engineering programs within the first two years is also unacceptably high. Reasons for the problem are of course multifold. The use of novel and “fun” approaches to teaching, which reflect advances in technology and changes in viewing and learning patterns is seen as one possibility to approach the problem. Computers and the internet can provide lowbarrier access to complex technology and inspire interest and a desire to learn about technology. Another way to retain larger numbers of students is their early active involvement in on-going research projects in the department. The present paper describes a program a program to develop teaching/learning software for materials characterization techniques at the University of Siegen. Since many analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or atomic force microscopy (AFM) are used in a number of different disciplines for the characterization of structure and composition of natural and man-made materials, and the basic physical principles behind these techniques are the same, we have chosen an interdisciplinary approach to teaching. The Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Physics and Department of Chemistry at the University of Siegen collaborate in this project to draw on the individual strength of people for a more complete view of the techniques and their background. A modular structure was chosen for the software package in order to be able to use modules individually. Links to central theory chapters and between the modules are p
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