A Flexible Future Education Model—Strategies Drawn from Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As they emerge from the pandemic, universities worldwide are evaluating the adaptations in the education sector during the pandemic and determining their course of action for the future. In this work, drawing on the lessons from four courses across two different universities, a survey of over 300 students, and the literature, we present strategies for successfully implementing a flexible blended education format. The survey revealed that the performance of the cohort taking the course during the pandemic performed nearly the same as the cohorts that took the courses before the pandemic. However, the students did not prefer an entirely virtual format, felt that their social wellbeing was impacted, and preferred a hybrid education model with a lot of supplementary learning material. As a key contribution of this work, we have identified and elaborate on four key pillars for a flexible blended education format, namely, course design, pedagogical strategies incorporating active learning and providing a sense of online community, infrastructure for delivery and training, and incorporating activities that support student wellbeing

Optimization of Activated Tungsten Inert Gas welding process parameters using heat transfer search algorithm: with experimental validation using case studies

The Activated Tungsten Inert Gas welding (A-TIG) technique is characterized by its capability to impart enhanced penetration in single pass welding. Weld bead shape achieved by A-TIG welding has a major part in deciding the final quality of the weld. Various machining variables influence the weld bead shape and hence an optimum combination of machining variables is of utmost importance. The current study has reported the optimization of machining variables of A-TIG welding technique by integrating Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with an innovative Heat Transfer Search (HTS) optimization algorithm, particularly for attaining full penetration in 6 mm thick carbon steels. Welding current, length of the arc and torch travel speed were selected as input process parameters, whereas penetration depth, depth-to-width ratio, heat input and width of the heat-affected zone were considered as output variables for the investigations. Using the experimental data, statistical models were generated for the response characteristics. Four different case studies, simulating the real-time fabrication problem, were considered and the optimization was carried out using HTS. Validation tests were also carried out for these case studies and 3D surface plots were generated to confirm the effectiveness of the HTS algorithm. It was found that the HTS algorithm effectively optimized the process parameters and negligible errors were observed when predicted and experimental values compared. HTS algorithm is a parameter-less optimization technique and hence it is easy to implement with higher effectiveness

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent counterflow nonpremixed flames

This paper presents our recent progress in terascale three-dimensional simulations of turbulent nonpremixed flames in the presence of a mean flow strain and fine water droplets. Under the ongoing university collaborative project supported by the DOE SciDAC Program [1] along with the INCITE 2007 Project [2], the study aims at bringing the state-of-the-art high-fidelity simulation capability to the next level by incorporating various advanced physical models for soot formation, radiative heat transfer, and lagrangian spray dynamics, to an unprecedented degree of detail in high-fidelity simulation application. The targeted science issue is fundamental characteristics of flame suppression by the complex interaction between turbulence, chemistry, radiation, and water spray. The high quality simulation data with full consideration of multi-physics processes will allow fundamental understanding of the key physical and chemical mechanisms in the flame quenching behavior. In this paper, recent efforts on numerical algorithms and model development toward the targeted terascale 3D simulations are discussed and some preliminary results are presented.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58180/2/jpconf7_78_012029.pd

A Flexible Future Education Model—Strategies Drawn from Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As they emerge from the pandemic, universities worldwide are evaluating the adaptations in the education sector during the pandemic and determining their course of action for the future. In this work, drawing on the lessons from four courses across two different universities, a survey of over 300 students, and the literature, we present strategies for successfully implementing a flexible blended education format. The survey revealed that the performance of the cohort taking the course during the pandemic performed nearly the same as the cohorts that took the courses before the pandemic. However, the students did not prefer an entirely virtual format, felt that their social wellbeing was impacted, and preferred a hybrid education model with a lot of supplementary learning material. As a key contribution of this work, we have identified and elaborate on four key pillars for a flexible blended education format, namely, course design, pedagogical strategies incorporating active learning and providing a sense of online community, infrastructure for delivery and training, and incorporating activities that support student wellbeing

A Three-Stage Solidification Model for Food Particles

A three-stage solidification model for food droplets has been implemented in a computational fluid dynamics code. It comprises of an initial cooling stage that is based on the principles of convective heat transfer. This is followed by the solidification period that is initiated once the droplet cools to a phase change temperature. Finally, when the droplet is completely solidified, the tempering phase begins where the droplet cools to the temperature of the ambient air. The model has been validated with respect to the experimental data for cocoa butter. Additional simulations were made in which the crystallization behavior of the cocoa butter droplets in relation to the droplet size, ambient air temperature and the relative drop-gas velocity was investigated. It was found that the crystallization time is exponentially related to the droplet size. Further, it increased with the ambient temperature, but decreased with the relative drop-gas velocity. Overall, the results suggest operating at the extreme values of the process parameters, requiring high amount of energy, to minimize the crystallization time. It was concluded that there is a need for optimizing the operating conditions of the powder production process to minimize the energy requirement of the system while maintaining a reasonable crystallization time

Online Education During a Pandemic – Adaptation and Impact on Student Learning

Universities and educational institutions worldwide had to abruptly suspend their in-person classes and offer the rest of the term in an online for-mat. This adjustment meant that instructors had to switch their instruction format and redesign their assessment strategies to ensure good quality edu-cation. In this work, we present the methods used in two courses for this transition and the impact on student learning. Specifically, we present data from two courses: second-year engineering mathematics and first-year object-oriented programming. The online instruction was delivered covering all the objectives, and the online assessment environment was designed with all possible safeguards to maintain integrity. Our data from these assessments show that the measures were successful. Further, the data indicate that while the pandemic severely impacted the first-year students, the second-year students did not experience any learning issues in the transition. We also present the lessons learned for future improvement

Adopting the Pedagogy of Trust and its Impact on Learning

In this work, we present the results of our attempts to transit into a trust-based assessment environment for adult learners. The impact of utilizing an honour system of assessment throughout a course on data structures and algorithm design has been evaluated. The performance of the students has been compared with the performance of students from two previous cohorts that appeared for the same assessments in an invigilated environment. We found that with adult learners, who are more focused on learning the concepts to hone specific skills for applicability at their workplace, the performance variation between the test cohort and the reference cohorts was not significant. With further evidence of this promising initial step, we could evolve into a larger portfolio-based education framework in which students can showcase their competence and skills through a collection of projects and assessments (formative as well as summative), to help with their career growth. Establishment of such pedagogies will help our students step out of their comfort zone, undertake exploratory studies, be willing to unearth their vulnerabilities, and work to improve their shortcomings to help them advance their careers

Online Education During a Pandemic – Adaptation and Impact on Student Learning

Universities and educational institutions worldwide had to abruptly suspend their in-person classes and offer the rest of the term in an online for-mat. This adjustment meant that instructors had to switch their instruction format and redesign their assessment strategies to ensure good quality edu-cation. In this work, we present the methods used in two courses for this transition and the impact on student learning. Specifically, we present data from two courses: second-year engineering mathematics and first-year object-oriented programming. The online instruction was delivered covering all the objectives, and the online assessment environment was designed with all possible safeguards to maintain integrity. Our data from these assessments show that the measures were successful. Further, the data indicate that while the pandemic severely impacted the first-year students, the second-year students did not experience any learning issues in the transition. We also present the lessons learned for future improvement

Adopting the Pedagogy of Trust and its Impact on Learning

In this work, we present the results of our attempts to transit into a trust-based assessment environment for adult learners. The impact of utilizing an honour system of assessment throughout a course on data structures and algorithm design has been evaluated. The performance of the students has been compared with the performance of students from two previous cohorts that appeared for the same assessments in an invigilated environment. We found that with adult learners, who are more focused on learning the concepts to hone specific skills for applicability at their workplace, the performance variation between the test cohort and the reference cohorts was not significant. With further evidence of this promising initial step, we could evolve into a larger portfolio-based education framework in which students can showcase their competence and skills through a collection of projects and assessments (formative as well as summative), to help with their career growth. Establishment of such pedagogies will help our students step out of their comfort zone, undertake exploratory studies, be willing to unearth their vulnerabilities, and work to improve their shortcomings to help them advance their careers

An Intervention-Based Active-Learning Strategy To Enhance Student Performance in Mathematics

Experiments were performed to study the effect of integrating an intervention strategy on student learning in an active learning environment in three different undergraduate mathematics courses. In these pedagogical experiments, the learning was measured via several subjective tests and the overall final grade for each course. For each course the comparison was made between two sections, one receiving the material via traditional instruction (control section) and the second receiving the material via instruction based on the active learning strategy (experimental section). It was found that students taught using the latter approach performed significantly better in the tests and exams, reflecting a good understanding of the material