IBLA

"One type of active learning technique designed to increase conceptual understanding in engineering is Inquiry-Based Learning Activities (IBLAs). IBLAs are based on a series of Predict-Observe-Explain cycles that can incorporate direct instruction or teamwork as needed. In an IBLA, individual students or teams of students are presented with a physical situation and asked to predict what will happen. The students then investigate the situation by experimenting with physical hardware that becomes the 'authority', thus forcing students to confront any misconceptions." 

How Misconceptions Might be Repaired through Inquiry Based Activities

 

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Activities

Mass Pulley

Increases student's understanding of Newton's Second Law by encouraging them to experiment with the relationship between the total mass, net force, and acceleration of a pulley system.

Impact Pendulum

Clarifies that energy is lost during impact and improves student's understanding of momentum.

Spool

Explores the linear and rotational components of Newton's Second Law for rolling motion when there is no slip.

Rolling Cylinder

Demonstrates that the velocity of a cylinder is independent of its mass and radius and depends only on the shape of the cylinder.

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Available content includes:

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       Materials lists and assembly instructions