Key concepts in soil mechanics: simple hands-on and team-based strategies to promote active learning
Key concepts in soil mechanics: simple hands-on and team-based strategies to promote active learning
Soils are particulate materials, which exhibit mechanical and hydraulic responses, very different from other civil engineering materials. This response poses additional challenges to students. A new pedagogical practice was implemented, combining hands-on and team-based learning to promote deep learning of fundamental concepts in Soil Mechanics: phase relationships and total and effective stresses in soils. The implementation occurred in the first semester of 2022/2023 in an introductory course on Soil Mechanics (Civil Engineering degree) at University of Aveiro, Portugal. To illustrate the topics covered simple experiments were used, setup with basic materials and accessories, thus simple to replicate in different contexts. Most activities took place in a room with modern equipment and furniture, designed to promote active learning. The model promotes deep learning and student engagement. Students appreciated the model, the sessions dynamic, the learning environment and the interaction between peers and with teachers. They recognised the importance of adopting different learning strategies. Not all students engaged with preparation activities, which compromises the benefit from the sessions. The model is sufficiently robust and versatile to be replicated in different contexts. The authors believe that using technology, while adopting hands-on strategies (with simple physical models and illustrations) and promoting critical thinking is an excellent way of promoting engagement and deep learning in Soil Mechanics.
Jorge Macedo; Margarida Pinho-Lopes
18th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ECSMGE2024)
A - New developments on structural design
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