The Purdue Mechanics Freeform Classroom, or simply, "Freeform", has embodied some of the current best practices in teaching the core Dynamics course in the School of Mechanical Engineering. However, the relationship between the broad array of learning materials, student engagement, student and instructor experiences, and group-level factors has not been empirically validated. A team of researchers from Purdue's Schools of Engineering Education and Mechanical Engineering received an IUSE: STEM grant to ask precisely these questions. Since the research has only just begun, the bulk of the discussion will focus on our team's approach to studying a rich and multi-faceted classroom environment, including: the varied types of data we collect, the heterogeneous makeup of our research team, the iterative nature of our research-to-practice timeline, and the focus on individual and institutional diversity in our analysis. More importantly, this discussion offers the opportunity to get early feedback from the community and to demonstrate the model of such a research approach for other cross-disciplinary investigations.

Bio

Dr. Jennifer DeBoer is an Assistant Professor of Engineering Education at Purdue University. Her research group is motivated to understand how technology and policy tools can promote equity and success for diverse engineering students around the world. She is the recipient of a 2015 National Science Foundation Early CAREER Award for her work evaluating and improving online courses for engineering undergraduates from diverse backgrounds.