Assessing the efficacy of supplemental online lecture modules in a core mechanical engineering undergraduate course

Abstract

In this paper, we report on a research study performed in a core, 2nd year mechanical engineering class, "Computing Tools for Engineering Design", where lectures were available to all students both in-person and as a video recording of the same lecture. On exams and quizzes each student was asked how they prepared for each test: did they prepare by use of in-person lectures, online lectures, a combination of both or neither? We then compared how each method of course delivery used by a student with the resulting grade on the quiz/exam. This information was used to determine if the mode of lecture delivery (in-class or online) impacted students' performance on examinations.