A crowd sourced problem repository, ExcelProblemPedia.org, is being formed that allows educators to download problems and supplement their homework assignments. This repository is designed to be easy to use with minimal instructor time. This system is flexible and will supplement any homework system the instructor currently uses. The repository is easy to query and allows searches by subject area, course, concept, problem difficulty or problem creator. A preview of the problem is displayed and the instructor would then download the appropriate files associated with the desired problem. Currently, the repository is dominated by problems from Material and Energy Balances but will be expanded in the coming years to include problems from other courses and disciplines. The repository is envisioned to have many problem creators and thus increase the variety of problem styles and real world applications. For maximum flexibility and to accommodate different instructor’s preferences, problems can either be downloaded as a text based or computer based files.
The computer based problems are variable parameter problems (VPP) where each student receives a different set of numerical or categorical parameters. In this way, each student’s problem and therefore answers would differ but the form of the problems remains the same for all. Thus, collaboration between students is encouraged while straight student copying is minimized. On these problems, students receive immediate feedback and are allowed multiple tries. The instructor can accept the defaults or use/modify one of the many features these VPP allow. For instance, post problem reflection or metacognitive question can be selected or added, so that students are encouraged to think more deeply about the engineering concepts necessary to solve the problem or explore how well they have mastered the integration of these concepts. Pre-problems can also be included so that students must estimate the solution or identify the concepts covered in the problem before they attempt a solution. Intermediate questions can be eliminated and different versions of the problem can be constructed that vary in difficulty. Instructional videos for implementing these advanced options are included on the web-site.
This repository has been used to supplement homework problems in the Introduction to Chemical Engineering course as well as the Material and Energy Balances courses at Trine University. So far over sixty problem have been developed and used in these courses and response from the students has generally been positive.
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