Classroom demonstrations with multiple modes: Virtual + reality = enhanced learning

Demonstrations can be very effective at engaging students, generating interest in a topic, and enhancing student learning. Demonstrations can occur at three different stages of a course topic: as an introduction, as a wrap-up and an aid used throughout the class discussion of a topic. A key component to an effective demonstration is active student engagement throughout the entire process. This means students are involved in discussing the purpose of the demo; predicting what will happen during the demo; discussing who developed theories to help us understand what happens during the demo; and comparing observations to predictions, as opposed to simply passively watching a demonstration. This paper presents a model for infusing demonstrations into an engineering science class and the use of this model during a semester. Demonstrations in this class incorporate both software simulation and physical models of dynamic systems. While physical models provide a concrete example, computer simulations allow the exploration of ldquowhat-ifrdquo scenarios and greater meta-cognitive activities. Assessment includes components from both faculty and students.