Developing Effective Screencast Modules for Teaching Computational Techniques in Remote Modalities.

Area of Science:

• Engineering Education
• Online Learning Technologies

Background:

• Traditional in-person demonstrations and active learning are challenging in remote and online educational settings.
• Effective digital content is crucial for maintaining student engagement and learning outcomes in virtual classrooms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a systematic, multi-stage approach for developing effective screencast modules for teaching computational techniques in remote modalities.
• To evaluate the efficacy and student reception of screencast modules as a replacement for in-person content in a finite element analysis course.

Main Methods:

• A multi-stage process was implemented: systematic preparation (data and script), production (recording and editing), and post-production (LMS integration).
• Screencast modules were integrated with assignments and a final project to facilitate learning and assessment.
• Student reception and performance were analyzed to gauge the effectiveness of the developed modules.

Main Results:

• The systematic approach successfully created engaging screencast modules for remote teaching.
• Students reported highly positive reception towards the screencast modules and technology.
• Students successfully completed assignments and the final project, demonstrating comprehension of the module content.

Conclusions:

• Screencast modules offer an effective solution for delivering computational techniques in remote and online learning environments.
• The described methodology provides practical teaching tips for educators seeking to create engaging remote learning content.
• Continuous improvement strategies were identified for future iterations of screencast-based educational modules.