Applications and App Building in Hybrid Courses

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of application building in the course environment illustrated with samples of student work. User applications (apps) built as extensions of multiphysics models have been integrated into traditional face-to-face and hybrid engineering courses. Apps were first included in a multidisciplinary modeling graduate course that emphasizes an end-of-semester research project. At the undergraduate level, apps were added into a two-course mechanical engineering thermo-fluids sequence. Initially, apps were used as an effective demonstration tool both in the classroom and in an on-line environment. Subsequently, application building has been embedded into a string of simulation projects featuring prominently in the performance assessment. As a result, students have become more demonstrably engaged and are devoting substantial time outside the classroom to understand theoretical concepts. Feedback from graduates indicates that familiarity with simulation work-flow and application building are effective skillsets in seeking an entry-level industry position.