Abstract:

The implementation of e-learning content or e-assessment in technical subjects has been increasing during the last years. The reason is its ability to allow students to practice anytime and anywhere without being restricted by the lecture or seminar hours. This is especially important for students from abroad who need more time to pass language barriers before understanding the specific technical terms. The goal of the project thermoEint, supported by the European Social Funds (ESF), is to improve the integration and success rate of international students in the framework of the basic subject of technical thermodynamics.

E-learning helps to overcome the forgetting curve and it is a well-known tool to improve the success rate of the students. In this contribution, a methodology for its implementation based on educators’ experience is introduced as a means for building a comprehensive, practical, and didactic collection of tests to improve the learning experience in technical subjects. The performed didactic preparation, consisting of structure, distribution, and type of exercises, will be discussed as well as its application in the specific case of international students within the context of a German institution. Technical issues, such as taking consequential errors into consideration, will be also addressed with the help of OPAL, our e-learning management system, and ONYX, our e-exercise editor.

The workflow for a successful implementation of e-assessment content will be explained. Furthermore, a proposed continuous e-learning improvement system in a year-to-year basis in addition to some particular examples and preliminary results will be shown.

Keywords:

ONYX, thermoE, thermoE_int, students’ success, e-assessments, e-learning, international students.