Abstract:

Problem-based learning is used in engineering courses with good results. However, the bibliographic collection is limited and a considerable amount of problems are required. Particularly in the Numerical Methods for Engineering course, problems need to be solved in class, included in task, self-assessments and exams. In addition is necessary to change the problems every quarter, so that the student does not have the answers of them previously.

The objective was to develop software to generate the problems used in the course of Numerical Methods in Engineering, as well as their solutions. This allows you to have a wide variety of problems avoiding repetition from one course to another.

The methodology considers for each topic of the course:
a) the design of a problem that is solved with one of the Numerical Methods;
b) the problem is parameterized to generate a problem other than the same degree of complexity is obtained;
c) choose the numerical method that will serve as a basis for determining iterations number to solves the problem for a given precision, so that a student can solve it manually in a reasonable time;
d) programming a module that generates and solves problems;
e) create a program that generates a file in XML format necessary to build the battery of problems for the SAKAI LMS exams.

The programs were developed in shell script, C language and FORTRAN.

Automation in the generation of problems with their solutions for each topic of the Numerical Methods in Engineering allows the teacher to have a wide range of possibilities with problems of the same level of complexity. As well as the generation of test batteries, they minimize the capture time in the LMS. The future work is intended to add to the program the functionality to generate problems and solutions of other courses.

Keywords:

High Education, generator of problems with solutions, assessment, assessment, problem-based learning.