Applicability of online Mechanics of Materials course for engineering undergraduate students

Abstract

In this research, we examine the effects of online lectures on engineering students' course performances and students' attitudes towards online learning. Specifically, we compare performances of students enrolled in a traditionally taught, lecture format Mechanics of Materials course with students in an online Mechanics of Materials course in Summer 2016 and examine the students' attitudes towards learning Mechanics of Materials online. To see the effect of the two different teaching approaches across student types, students are categorized by gender, enrollment status, English proficiency, and grades students obtained for Statics, one of the prerequisite courses for Mechanics of Materials. The findings can highlight the types of students who benefit from an online Mechanics of Materials course. The larger goal of this study is to determine if the online pedagogy can improve students' academic performance for different types of students and to determine its applicability for the university on a larger scale.