Aplicacion de software matematico en carreras de ingenieria

TL;DR

This study developed and tested a methodology using free smartphone apps to enhance student engagement and problem-solving in engineering courses involving exact sciences.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach integrating mobile apps into engineering education to improve active learning and self-study among students.

Findings

Students showed increased interest in learning exact sciences.

Participants solved more problems than with traditional methods.

The method was effective across different courses and semesters.

Abstract

With the aim of finding ways that can lead to solving the problem of learning the exact sciences and involving the university student in a participatory and active way during the semester period with the help of new technologies, the following methodology was developed: a) applications (apps) for smartphones that allow calculations were sought; b) selected the apps, the characteristics for the software were identified; c) groups were selected in which the new method could be tested; d) a bank of problems was developed for the participants to solve, and e) a survey was applied to the students at the end of the courses. As a result of this search, it was found that there are software packages that can be used for physics subjects and that, in addition, meet the requirement of being free (at least in their basic version). After having applied the new method in three groups, in two different semester periods and in different courses, it is gratifying to see that the students were interested in really learning the exact sciences, and even in managing their self-study. The participants were able to develop a higher number of problems than is usually solved with the conventional method.