ABSTRACT VIEW
IMPROVING EDUCATION IN STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS: INTEGRATION OF SAP-2000 EXERCISES AND AUTOMATED CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT
A. Vázquez, J.I. Hernando, C. de Santos, A. de Oña, A. Aznar
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (SPAIN)
This work presents an innovative educational experience in the integration of the commercial software SAP-2000 into the teaching of building structures. The initiative was implemented in the "Structures 2" course at the School of Architecture of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), supported by a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to facilitate student learning of the SAP-2000 structural analysis software. Additionally, a novel Moodle question type was developed to automatically assess student-generated structural models by simply uploading the $2k file generated by the program.

This educational approach aims to enhance students' understanding of structural engineering principles through hands-on practice with industry-standard software. By incorporating SAP-2000 exercises into the curriculum, students gain practical skills in structural analysis and design, aligning their education with real-world engineering practices.

The MOOC component provides students with accessible and self-paced learning resources, allowing them to familiarize themselves with SAP-2000 outside of traditional classroom hours. This blended learning approach promotes flexibility and independence in learning, catering to diverse student needs and learning styles.

The development of the Moodle question type streamlines the assessment process, providing immediate feedback to students and facilitating efficient grading for instructors. This innovative feature not only enhances the assessment experience but also encourages active engagement with course material by enabling students to receive timely feedback on their SAP-2000 models.

Through this integration of SAP-2000 exercises, MOOC resources, and automated assessment tools, the educational experience presented in this work offers a comprehensive approach to teaching structural engineering, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for success in the field. This abstract highlights the potential of innovative educational methods to enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for professional practice in the ever-evolving field of structural engineering.

Keywords: MOOC, SAP-2000, Moodle, blended learning.