Basic Structural Education

A variety of Web-enhanced teaching (WET) aids have been developed with the support of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). These tools include an e-mail newsletter, a teaching tools website, and an online forum. A number of objectives form the framework for these WET tools: (1) to keep steel educators informed of new teaching aids, as well as upcoming educator workshops and other news, (2) to make teaching aids more accessible, and (3) to foster an online community in which educators can share tips and ideas.

The WET effort was begun by Dr. Kim Roddis and Dr. Adolfo Matamoros at the University of Kansas with the development of the Web Enhanced Teaching of Structural Steel Design package. Designed for web delivery, the WET materials were first distributed by CD. The WET CD includes a variety of materials based on a case-study building, complete with AutoCAD drawings (architectural and structural elevations and plans), a RISA-3D model, and a 3-D Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) model. A number of laboratory design exercises are also provided, all based on the case-study office building, a 3-story braced frame structure. Lab exercises come with instructions for both the instructor and student, blank Excel spreadsheets which can be printed out and completed in a lab session, and solution spreadsheets. Throughout the course, students will determine design loads, size typical interior and exterior columns, size brace members, investigate alternatives for floor framing, and so on. Also provided on the WET CD are a number of animations illustrating concepts such as block shear, column global buckling, local buckling, tributary area; PowerPoint slide shows on columns, beams and joists; and, a teaching guide with a sample syllabus and instructions for editing web pages when posting animations and other visual aids.

An Online Community

The original online AISC WET discussion group has been expanded from just over 100 members to more than 1000. The intent of the discussion group has been to provide a forum for sharing ideas, tips, class examples, quiz questions. Members have been encouraged to use the AISC WET Forum for questions on use of the WET materials or other teaching aids available through AISC. The AISC WET group is also used for distribution of the e-mail newsletter.

Tools and Tips

Feedback from the original WET discussion group motivated the development of the Tools and Tips for Steel Educators website and a companion e-mail newsletter, the Steel Educators’ Tip Sheet. Survey results indicated that some members did not know of the options available to them through the AISC WET discussion group or CD; others commented that they were unaware of how to use AISC WET materials effectively in their courses. Overall, lack of information and lack of time appeared to be the two major obstacles to use of WET.

The Tools and Tips website was created with the concept that busy instructors might be more inclined to use teaching aids if they are easy to find, are organized by topic, and come with tips or suggestions. The Tools and Tips site includes references to materials from the AISC WET CD, as well as videos and other teaching aids available through www.aisc.org. Each entry on the Tools and Tips site includes a brief description, instructions for finding that resource on the AISC WET CD, as applicable, a hyperlink for download, and, if available, an additional suggestion or tip from a fellow steel educator. Animations can also be previewed at the Tools and Tips website before download or purchase of the CD.

Meanwhile, the Tip Sheet (Figure 1) was created with the concept that busy instructors might be more inclined to use a particular teaching aid if reminded about it as preparing to cover that topic in a course. E-mailed monthly each term to AISC WET Forum members, the Tip Sheet provides reminders and tips about teaching aids by topic, following typical course syllabi at different institutions across the United States. Hyperlinks from the Tip Sheet take readers to the Tools and Tips website or other sites for more information and download.

The Tip Sheet also features new teaching aids. Some of these teaching aids have been volunteered by AISC WET Forum members, and have ranged from lecture notes to detailed instructions for fabrication of hands-on beam buckling models (demonstrating lateral torsional buckling, flange local buckling, and web local buckling), all from transparency film and packing tape.

Finally, the Tip Sheet has been used to announce upcoming Educator Workshops held by AISC, including a number of workshops introducing new teaching aids. The Tip Sheet has also served as an additional source for information such as instructions for ordering discounted design manuals for students.

Accessibility

AISC has further facilitated use of the AISC WET case study materials by providing two options for access. Formerly available only on CD by order through the AISC bookstore, the AISC WET materials are now available for direct download from www.aisc.org (see ‘Teaching Aids’ on the University Programs page, under ‘Learning Opportunities’). Other teaching aids, including modules for instruction in Schools of Architecture and the Construction Management Digital Library, are also available both on CD and by download from the website.  A number of videos and other instructional modules are also available in electronic format. These modules and more information can be found at www.aisc.org and the Tools and Tips website.