DIGITAL LIBRARY
DEVELOPING AND EVALUATING A MULTIMEDIA LEARNING WEBSITE FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING EDUCATION
United Arab Emirates University (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)
About this paper:
Appears in: EDULEARN24 Proceedings
Publication year: 2024
Pages: 5174-5179
ISBN: 978-84-09-62938-1
ISSN: 2340-1117
doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2024.1270
Conference name: 16th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
Dates: 1-3 July, 2024
Location: Palma, Spain
Abstract:
This study focuses on developing and evaluating an interactive learning website intended to improve undergraduate students' comprehension of civil engineering topics. The website serves as a platform that combines different tools, including questions, flashcards, and media, to provide a more captivating and efficient learning experience. This approach aligns with the increasing demand for digital learning tools and caters to the evolving learning preferences of contemporary students. Digital learning provides many advantages, such as removing geographical limitations, enabling self-paced learning, and enhancing effective communication between educators and students. Prior to conducting this study, a survey was carried out with 21 participants to assess the students' utilization of technology in education, and their perspective on interactive learning. The survey results indicated high interest in integrating technology into education, with complete agreement on the advantages of many interactive tools. 67% of respondents indicated that they preferred digital learning over traditional approaches. The majority of respondents expressed strong support for interactive features, such as simulation exercises and animated media, due to their ability to improve comprehension. Specifically, 86% of respondents valued simulation exercises, while 76% favored animated media for visualizing topics. The participants' interest in gamified learning was clearly demonstrated, as 81% of them expressed enthusiasm for progressive, stage-based games centered around civil engineering subjects. Based on the findings of the survey, an interactive website was developed that encompasses topics from core civil engineering courses, namely, Concrete Technology, Environmental Engineering, and Water Resources. The website now includes 164 questions and 84 flashcards, distributed across different topics in the three courses. The website was deployed to students currently enrolled in the three courses, and a survey was circulated to gauge students’ impressions of the website’s features. The feedback survey indicated that the interactive website helped students retain knowledge and improved their learning skills. A forward-looking aspect of this project is the intended use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the generation of website content, with subsequent revision by field experts to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Keywords:
Interactive Learning, Multimedia Learning, Student Engagement, Civil Engineering.