Peer Review

Virtual Labs Real Data for Mechanics of Materials

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jan 12, 2023 by Engineering

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This virtual lab is a computer-based exercise designed to emulate hands-on experiences. The concept of virtual lab is where a student will view actual experiments, work with real data, learn about the experiment and the theory and interact on-line with faculty and other students. The lab contains data, videos, suggested exercises, keywords and definitions and "chalk talks", short-narrated presentations on torsion theory and testing.
Type of Material:: Learning Object Repository. Combination of video, exercises, lecture information, and real lab data to analzye.
Recommended Uses:: Substiute/supplement for in-class lab activities.
Technical Requirements:: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers were used to access the material. It seems that all facilities are active for any browser. The information is accessible with several browsers but some videos require flash players and video players.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The major learning objectives is to provide a virtual lab experience with video of methods and real data to analyze and a module to learn error analysis as well.
Target Student Population:: College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Basic material and mechanics of material knowledge at the undergraduate level, an engineering background.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The learning object repository presents two scientific contents: (i) one dedicated to error analysis in experimental work and (ii) one dedicated to the knowledge of torsion testing machines and the study of torsional behavior through the exploration of real test data. The material provides accurate information and is current and relevant. The section devoted to error analysis aims to estimate and analyze the errors inherent in experimental work. It includes concepts on accuracy and precision, systematic and random error, error propagation, absolute and relative error, and significant figures. Some examples and exercises are presented. The topic is presented in clear and concise manner. Further reading link is also available. The section related to torsion testing involves a lab manual, ‘chalk talks’ on theory and procedure, video records of selected tests and online quiz-tests.

Excellent quality with real data and good lecture on error anlaysis. Moreover the content is appropriate and in-line with what is expected at the undergraduate engineering level.

Concerns:

Some videos showing torsion virtual tests are not available. Limited examples of test data available, only 4 materials. The title of the material, “Virtual Labs Real Data for Mechanics of Materials”, suggest a broad topic on mechanics of materials, but only torsion mechanical problems are available. Some issues with accessing the data.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: Very effective as teaching tool, great resource. The ability to perform a lab virtually gives the user the experience and promotes understanding of these mechanical topics. Additionally, learning objectives are easy to identify for the modulue on error analysis. The presentation of contents reinforces progressively the learning process. The material allows the measure of learning outcomes by means of online tests.
Concerns:: Some of the video content can be improved, expanded upon. The material is not easily integrable into curriculum assignments of mechanics of materials as it deals only with a single case study (torsion).

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: Ease of use. The side bar eases the navigation in the site. The site is in working order and easy to navigate and the instrutions are clear.
Concerns:: Organization could be improved but does not significantly affect quality of OER. Visual design is not enough appealing. Accessibility issues (linked images or icons and pictures without alternative text, some small text, lack of contrast).

Other Issues and Comments:: No other comments
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