Project Modules

Currently, about 90 Learning Objects are available to students in Mechanics, Civil Engineering, Architectural and other related cycles in Universities of Applied Sciences, Universities and Technical Universities in Switzerland.

After the project, the repository will be open for update both in terms of new standard references and further specializations. For instance, the repository can collect the materials elaborated during research and activities by the partners during the years.

Each learning object is based on four parts, and each of them will exploit particular formats for enhancing learning activities.

  • The theoretical introduction describes the experiment or test and the principles behind it through text and pictures, graphs and other images, using also Flash animations for visualizing some concepts (e.g. the forces on a concrete structure).
  • The experimentations are presented through a video clip (a footage of the text), and commented with audio. A still-image version of the video, with textual comments, will be also available for situations with low bandwidth or when experiencing problem with the plug-in for videos.
  • Multiple-choice questions will be developed in a stand-alone format, e.g. with JavaScript, or Flash, or with free tolls like Hot Potatoes.
  • The normative annexes concerning Swiss and European norms will be available as PDF files.

The repository structure groups learning objects by type (e.g. concrete, steel, etc.) and will index them with keywords, so that they are easily retrievable. The repository structure is based on the nature of the topic, and is as follows:

Mechanics of materials

Materials

Structures

Special

Stress and strain, constitutive law, axial loads, bending, shear and torsion.

Concrete (fresh mix,mechanical tests, special tests), steel, wood, plastic and rock.

Reinforced concrete (beam, slab, frame), steel (beam, truss, frame), wood (beam, truss, frame).

Special structures, experimental case.

The database allows the updating and in particular a large scale economy for the university partners in the project. Other experimental tests developed in particular research could easily be included in the database (in field tests, ect.).

All learning objects will be developed in English, and will be translated by the partners according to their needs.