Resumen de An interactive, cognitively informed, web-based statics course
In this paper we present computer-based instructional materials developed as part of the Open Learning Initiative (OLI) at Carnegie Mellon University that, upon completion, would constitute an entire online course in Statics. These materials reflect recent progress in re-thinking Statics instruction, including a recently proposed object-centered approach to teaching Statics that deliberately separates out individual concepts and treats them sequentially. These materials also benefit from studies of conceptual knowledge in Statics, and the development and psychometric analysis of a Statics Concept Inventory. The computer-based implementation of instruction incorporates many general lessons from the learning sciences that are broadly relevant. The structure of the course materials is presented, including how it reflects a sequence of learning objectives, which are addressed through means that fully capitalize on the capabilities of the computer. Assessment at multiple levels is embedded into the materials, with the aims of both facilitating learning and monitoring progress. The effect of these materials on learning is quantified for its first use in a traditional statics course.
