Motor workshop: the role of interactivity in promoting learning

In this paper the authors discuss the design, development, deployment and testing of two pieces of courseware focused on teaching mechanical engineering undergraduates about the fundamentals of direct-current (DC) motor physics and selection. They were motivated to develop materials on motors because they are a common engineering design element, and yet their coverage in engineering curricula is often cursory or poorly integrated Standard mechanical systems texts do not cover this topic, and comprehensive motor texts are typically too detailed and lengthy to be suitable for mechanical designers. Further, the authors hoped that a multimedia presentation would allow for inclusion of information that is difficult to convey in a conventional text format. Assessment results, including pre- and post-performance tests and questionnaire responses, are presented and interpreted in terms of their implications for the role of interactivity in students´ learning.