Innovations in Engineering Curriculum and Teaching: A Research-Based Study

Universities have progressively improved in regards to the usage of technology in teaching-learning methodologies. Tools like videoconferences, chats and blogs, podcasting [1], webcasting and webinars [1], video streaming [2], and networked educational videos [3-5] have rapidly appeared. Research [3, 6] has shown that videos are a helpful tool to engage students with different learning styles beyond the textbook and traditional lecture. They can also increase the students’ enthusiasm about the concepts presented and thereby increase information retention [6]. The focus is to engage students in intellectual work that facilitates the assimilation of knowledge in a disciplined manner that will have value beyond school. Many students who take the introduction to engineering classes are freshmen and need help in learning engineering concepts. This study discusses the development, implementation, and evaluation of a video- and game-based instructional tool called a concept tutor. These concept tutors focus on one concept at a time, and they can be used as supplemental material to a lecture. These tutors provide additional help to students in explaining the concepts taught in class to reinforce their learning. The purpose of concept tutors is to increase the undergraduate students