The project will accomplish three objectives: (1) development of innovative methods for interactive teaching and testing engineering students by computer; (2) development of courseware in Statics , a mandatory lower division course for the majority of engineering students); and (3) testing, modifying, and implementing the courseware. Alabama A&M University at Normal, Alabama, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville are the project subcontractors. They are now teaching these courses to a large number of students with diverse backgrounds and will be participating in the development, testing, and dissemination of the courseware. Five problem-solving oriented lessons and 5 examinations in a cT-version for stand-alone computers (Macintosh and PC) and a NovaNET system version, will present students with new problems each time the lessons are used. Students will be able to work problems on their own, supported by continuous and appropriate feedback throughout the problem solving process. Instead of multiple-choice tests, sophisticated constructed student responses such as algebraic expressions, sentences, and cursor location will be judged by computer. These innovative instructional materials will be disseminated to other engineering schools all of which teach the Statics course.
