A cheer-and-challenge approach in teaching mechanics to demotivated freshmen

Abstract

Due to a controversial enrollment policy in most engineering programs at German Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), many freshmen show very low school grades in key subjects like Math and Physics. Nevertheless they expect to be entertained in the lectures and get demotivated easily. Despite initial reservations, a cheer-and-challenge approach was developed for teaching Mechanics to freshmen having very diverse school grades. When tested, it showed astonishing results.