Multimedia courseware to enhance the classroom experience

One of the driving factors to revitalize standard textbook engineering curriculum is with the integration of multimedia courseware. Traditional textbook learning is one component for learning a subject, lab projects provide students with hands-on experience, but multimedia can synthesize and expand the learning process. The MEEP (Manufacturing Engineering Education Partnership) project philosophy is on `active learning´, where interactive multimedia modules were developed to complement lectured-based notes and laboratory instructions. Courses including Product Dissection and Entrepreneurship were used to develop interactive multimedia modules using Authorware software. These modules include exercises where the students `virtually´ dissect components or learn about the business aspects of product realization to supplement the traditional learning experience. We describe our multimedia modules, their use and success in the classroom, and their potential in outreach activities for other universities or learning situations