2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The Civil Engineering Materials course is an introductory course for junior civil engineering students to explore a variety of materials, including aggregates, cement, concrete, asphalt, wood, and steel. Traditional teaching methods often involve top-down lectures delivered solely by instructors. While instructors possess significant expertise, there is a growing recognition of the importance of making the course engaging and captivating, especially since it serves as students’ initial exposure to civil engineering disciplines. This study introduces a blended teaching approach, in which students are actively involved in delivering lectures on selected topics, rather than relying solely on the instructor. Pre-class and post-class surveys were administered to the student presenters to gauge their perceptions on delivering team lectures. The surveys also aimed to assess whether their knowledge improved, their roles in team presentations, and their development of effective presentation skills. Additionally, audience feedback on the group presentations was collected and it was observed that the majority of students reported an increase in their knowledge after lecture delivery. This not only developed a sense of student ownership in the learning process but also promoted an engaging and participative learning environment in the class. Thus, this case study provides insights into fostering greater student ownership of course materials and promoting active learning in subject matter content.