Engineers Code: reusable open learning modules for engineering computations

TL;DR

This paper presents a set of modular, reusable open learning modules that integrate computing into engineering education using Jupyter notebooks and online courses, enhancing contextualized learning and assessment.

Contribution

It introduces a novel integration of Jupyter notebooks with Open edX, enabling dynamic content delivery and auto-graded assessments for engineering computing modules.

Findings

Modules are publicly available under permissive licenses.

The integrated platform supports dynamic content and auto-grading.

Modules are used in high-demand workshops for engineering students.

Abstract

Undergraduate programs in science and engineering include at least one course in basic programming, but seldom presented in a contextualized format, where computing is a tool for thinking and learning in the discipline. We have created a series of learning modules to embed computing in engineering education, and share this content under permissive public licenses. The modules are created as a set of lessons using Jupyter notebooks, and complemented by online courses in the Open edX platform, using new integrations we developed. Learning sequences in the online course pull content dynamically from public Jupyter notebooks and assessments are auto-graded on-the-fly, using our Jupyter Viewer and Jupyter Grader third-party extensions for Open edX (XBlocks). The learning content is modularized and designed for reuse in various formats. In one of these formats---short but intense workshops---our university library is leveraging the curriculum to offer extra-curricular training for all, at high demands.