CSTIP (Curtin Sarawak Teaching Innovation Project)
1. Action Research in CHE 477 Computational Fluid Dynamics: Combining Laboratory Experiments with Simulation Project
Project Summary
This project proposes to combine laboratory experiments with the simulations project work in the unit CHE477 computational fluid dynamic offered in semester 1, 2013. This is expected to enhance the student’s learning experience and reinforce their previous learning in the other units. The already existing experiments in the chemical and mechanical engineering laboratories will be used. Based on the outcome of this project new experiments will be proposed which will be useful across several units and departments. Most importantly this research assignment is expected to improve students research and analytical skills much needed in the final year project.
Project Team Associate Professor Perumal Kumar Dr. Agus Saptoro Rajamohan Ganesan
2.Development of simulations based teaching aids for teaching heat transfer and transport phenomena
Project summary
Naturally, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfers and combinations of three of them in transport phenomena are subjects that are mainly related to the physics underlying the transport phenomena, its first principles and its laws and theorems. Consequently, mathematical modelling and analysis are heavily used. Moreover, in these three subjects, students are required to use their physical intuition and imagination when dealing with transport processes and developing their mathematical models. Therefore, these three subjects can be considered dry units if the deliveries of the units are lack of real case studies alike and visualisations of the transport mechanisms and also if the teaching staffs only use traditional deductive learning and teaching styles. These conclusions have been supported also by mid-semester feedbacks and students evaluate results for the units of Process Heat Transfer (PHT) 228 and Transport Phenomena (TP) 323 in the last two years.
Figure 1 Deductive vs Inductive Teaching and Learning
Considering all issues that influencing teaching and learning (T & L) effectiveness and student’s memory retention of the subjects, combined deductive-inductive T & L approaches (Figure 1) will be proposed, tested and implemented in PHT 228 and TP 323. Some topics within the units will be delivered using deductive approach, where T & L begins with general principles, laws and theorems and then proceeds to deduce consequences or resulting phenomena. Other topics, especially traditionally difficult topics in transport phenomena like fluid mechanics/momentum balances, heat transfer by convections and mass transfer by diffusions, will be delivered using inductive method when students observe and explore the case studies, simulation, videos etc, infer the governing principles from them and then it will be follow-up by brief lecture (wrap-up session). Flexibility of the delivery will also be implemented where some topics will be delivered using the inductive first and then is followed by deductive approach. This project aims to develop MATLAB models and simulations based modules on transport phenomena. By introducing more real case studies alike and more visual representation for the mathematical models, it would be expected that more effective T & L of dry subjects will be achieved and simultaneously student’s memory retention of the subjects can be enhanced.
Project Team Dr. Agus saptoro Associate Professor Perumal Kumar
3. Students’ Attitudes towards Computer-mediated Feedback’.
Project Summary
This project aims to investigate students’ attitudes towards computer mediated audio feedback. Effective feedback in this project refers to information provided to students regarding their performance in assignments or assessments that are detailed and specific, and focuses on improving their learning. There is adequate research evidence to support the notion that feedback affects student learning positively. It is a known fact that the way in which students receive information may influence their ability to understand or make use of the feedback (Flemming, 2007). Rowe & Wood (2007) postulate that feedback is significant to learning, yet studies on feedback have been overlooked in research to date, particularly from the student’s point of view. This study will focus on students’ perceptions towards computer mediated audio feedback on assignments using audacity.
ProjectTeam: Associate Professor Beena Giridharan (Project Leader), Dr Alpha Agape Gopalai- Project team member ( School of Engineering & Science), Crystal Lau- Project team member ( School of Business), Murali Krishnan- Project team member ( School of Business).
