Jenna L. Toennies, D. Caleb Rucker, Robert J. Webster III Medical and Electromechanical Design Lab

Vanderbilt University

Course: Mechanical Engineering - System Dynamics Students: Juniors Challenges to Teaching:

• Concepts are difficult to grasp without interaction with a real system illustrating the topic.

• Limited lab time and resources make thorough illustration challenging because each concept is best demonstrated by a different physical system.

Method Project-based lab

curriculum Use of all purpose, hands on

simulators Goal

Increase intuitive understanding of fundamental concepts in System Dynamics

F=ma???

A joystick that simulates a desired dynamic system and provides students with tactile feedback.

During Construction The students determine the dynamic characteristics of

the paddles, the motors, and the sensors.

During Programming The students alter the dynamics through feedback

to simulate different physical systems.

During Simulation The students feel the

response of simulated systems with their hands.

This enhances their intuitive understanding of the dynamic concepts.

“Using the haptic paddle in lab, I was able to see and feel a variety of system responses, which added meaning to the numbers and equations that I calculated in class.” -Vanderbilt System Dynamics Student, Fall 2008

• Developed 5 multiple-choice questions for each of the 5 lab sessions to address the conceptual learning objectives for each lab.

• Administered 25 questions at the beginning of the semester to assess the students’ initial understanding.

• In each lab, the students took the relevant 5 questions at these different times depending on their section:

•Beginning of lab•After a pre-lab lecture•After lab•After completing the lab report (1+ week later)

Dr. Tom Harris

Dr. Derek Bruff and Jean Alley

The entire Vanderbilt University and extended CIRTL Network

Advisor: Dr. Robert J. Webster III