As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most colleges and universities around the world were forced to switch to remote learning. Many instructors were provided little guidance regarding how to restructure their courses for the remote classroom. The purpose of this study was to understand how the shift from in-person...
This study investigated learning in three engineering student clubs at a large public university. This included a small-sized chemical reaction car competition, a large-sized formula racing team, and an international humanitarian engineering club. Research methods included observations of work sessions (N=27) and semi-structured interviews (N=19). Using Cultural Historical Activity Theory...
In recent years, simulated laboratory experiences have become more prevalent in educational curricula. These simulations, called virtual labs, can enable learning in ways that are not limited by physical constraints. The development of virtual labs is often ad hoc, resulting in unnecessary, repetitive work. The purpose of this thesis is...
The Interactive Virtual Laboratories (IVLs) are a series of two-dimensional simulations designed to help students conceptually learn difficult concepts in thermodynamics. Three studies were performed to help elucidate how the IVLs affect student learning. In the first study, eight students were observed while completing one of the IVLs. The students...
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are grown using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). A modified radio frequency (RF) parallel-plate plasma etching system serves as the growth reactor. The effects of process parameters, including temperature, pressure, and C2H2:NH3 ratio, are studied. CNTs are grown on glass substrates with Al underlayers and Ni...
Learning assistant (LA) programs are gaining increasing popularity as a means to shift instructional practice in STEM classrooms. In these programs, trained undergraduate students join the instructional team and support student-centered active learning pedagogies. Their professional development is typically supported through a seminar. In facilitating small group collaborative learning, LAs...