Improving Engineering Instruction and Learning using LON-CAPA  

Carl T. Lira (CHEMS Dept, College of Engineering)   

Tuesday,  Febrary 4, 2014 - noon to 1pm - 3540 EB   

Randomization in problem statements forces students to collaborate at a higher level on Bloom's learning taxonomy. Mastery of engineering courses typically involves integration of multiple concepts that can be broken into individual problem parts to coach the students through solutions. The LON-CAPA course management system provides a randomization platform that should be used more widely in engineering instruction. Individualized problem types range from multiple-choice quizzes to multipart problems. Problems can include images with random label placement or dynamically-generated graphs. Symbolic math manipulation, including integration and differentiation, is provided via an interface to the computer algebra systems Maxima and R. Computer lab worksheets can be randomized. Even honors students praise use of LON-CAPA for guiding of the class through MATLAB code development exercises. The seminar is intended for faculty who have not worked with LON-CAPA. The seminar includes a basic overview of problem types, and provides a demonstration of the main steps to use existing LON-CAPA problems and to author new problems. Most of the seminar will focus on the steps to implement online problems: 1) inserting a problem into a course; setting date for open, due, and answer; 2) viewing student scores and attempts; 3) authoring a randomized problem. LON-CAPA can be previewed at testdrive.loncapa.org. 

Professor Carl Lira is an Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. He teaches thermodynamics at all levels, chemical kinetics, and material and energy balances. He has ben recognized with the Amoco Excellence in Teaching Award, and multiple presentations of the MSU Engineering College Withrow Teaching Excellence Award. He is co-author of a widely-used textbook, Introductory Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, and he recently revised the LON-CAPA authoring manual. He has MS and PHD degrees from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and a BS from Kansas State University.