2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

In traditional Tool Design courses, students often engage passively with theoretical content through lectures, followed by individual assignments. This approach can be limiting, especially for students in Mechanical Engineering Technology programs at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), where collaborative, hands-on learning is key to engagement and success. This paper presents a flipped classroom and Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) model specifically designed for Tool Design education in an HSI setting, fostering both practical skill development and teamwork.
In this model, foundational theoretical concepts—such as jig and fixture design, supporting and locating principles, and clamping methods—are delivered outside of class through multimedia resources. These include video lectures, interactive CAD tutorials, and self-paced quizzes, which allow students to learn at their own pace. A practical out-of-class activity involves an interactive CAD tutorial that enables students to explore pre-built jig and fixture models while answering critical design questions, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice.
Class time is dedicated to collaborative projects where students work in teams using cloud-based CAD tools to design and optimize jigs and fixtures for real-world manufacturing applications. This team-based approach encourages peer learning, a critical aspect for students in a diverse HSI environment. The instructor acts as a facilitator, providing real-time feedback and guiding students through complex design challenges, mimicking the collaborative nature of modern engineering workplaces.
The effectiveness of this method is evaluated through formative assessments such as peer reviews and design challenges, alongside summative assessments that include a final group project. Surveys and reflections are collected to measure engagement, collaboration, and overall learning outcomes. Initial results show enhanced student participation, improved problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of tool design concepts, particularly beneficial in a collaborative learning environment for Mechanical Engineering Technology students at an HSI.
This paper outlines the structure, implementation, and evaluation of the flipped classroom and CSCL approach, offering a model that can be adopted in similar educational contexts to enhance student learning and prepare them for industry challenges.