SugarAid 0.2: An Online Learning Tool for STEM

We present an online learning tool called SugarAid version 0.2 to assist in the education of students of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We have used the tool in both mechanical and electrical engineering courses with postive results, such as improved written exam scores. SugarAid may be used online at nanoHUB.org with remote computation; i.e. all that is required to use SugarAid is any device with internet browsing capability. The tool is intended to replace or complement course homework, and to provide custom review material that adapts to each student's learning curve. The tool prepares students for in-class examinations by providing timed exercises, and allows the students and instructor know which ABET (Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology) concepts are being addressed. Immediate grading provides instant feedback to both instructor and students. SugarAid may be configured to display image files, function plots, multiple choice questions, detailed solutions, etc. We have implemented a weakness function in SugarAid that works by remembering exercises answered incorrectly and tests for the retention of such exercises at a later date. Reference material such as lecture notes and data tables may be displayed in SugarAid. The latest version allows students to modify exercises to explore what-if scenarios by, say, replacing a resistor with a capacitor in a circuit. In this paper we describe SugarAid and examine various metrics including a comparison of exam scores by students that did, and did not, use the tool. The exam results, usage data, and survey suggests that SugarAid has a positive impact on students' performance.