The Use of Study Guides to Improve Learning Outcomes in Engineering Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics

Abstract

Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics is a second year core course within the Bachelor of Engineering program at Griffith University. A range of resources has been provided to students enrolled at the Griffith campus, which has included copies of lecture slides, a study guide plus a quick study guide. This paper describes the development of the two different study guides adopted in the course. An investigation into the efficacy of the study guides to improve student learning was undertaken. This included a survey of student perceptions of the study guide effectiveness at the end of the teaching semester. The survey showed that students felt that the study guide was clearly organised and that the study guides were effective in helping them to learn the material covered in the course. The study also shows that the study guides provide a means for supporting active learning strategies for students within the course.