Hands-on learning in Structural Mechanics

Since experimental investigations and testing play a central role in the discipline, hands-on activities are often present in SM courses. At the same time, the complexity and the high level of formalism of SM disciplinary representations tend to hinder students’ understanding of disciplinary concepts. Therefore, many instructors recognize in the practical activities not only a way to develop laboratory skills and appreciation of the scientific method, but also a chance to reinforce students’ conceptual understanding of SM. However, there is evidence that hands-on activities are not always successful in promoting students’ conceptual understanding.

To address this problem, external PhD-candidate Marta Gavioli investigates how laboratory activities can be designed to support students' conceptual understanding of SM. Following the design-based educational research approach, the goal of her PhD research is dual: on one hand the aim is to define design principles for the development of hands-on learning activities and, on the other, is to advance our knowledge about conceptual understanding in Structural Mechanics and what that entails.

The project consists of 3 parts:

• Develop a framework for the definition and operationalization of Conceptual Understanding and what that entails in Structural Mechanics.
• Define design principles for hands-on learning activities aiming at improving students’ conceptual understanding of Structural Mechanics.
• Design and implement hands-on learning activities and investigate their effectiveness.

Marta Gavioli, MSc, is a PhD candidate under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Annoesjka Cabo (TU Delft), Prof. Dr. Chiara Bisagni (Politecnico di Milano), Prof. Dr. PJ Perry den Brok (Wageningen University & Research) and Dr. Renate Klaassen (TU Delft). She obtained her MSc degree in Electrical Engineering from Padua University (Italy).