Application of Computer Software for Teaching Fluid Mechanics to Undergraduate Students
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Abstract
The primary objectives of this study were (1) to analyze and compare the outcomes of manual calculations and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations in determining the forces exerted by water flow and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of a mathematical model as a pedagogical tool for teaching fluid mechanics to undergraduates. The sample included 30 mechanical engineering undergraduates from the Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Phitsanulok, divided into two groups of 15 students each. Research instruments comprised (1) commercial CFD software for fluid force calculations, (2) pre- and post-tests assessing students’ understanding of momentum and energy equations in water jet impact, and (3) a questionnaire measuring satisfaction with software integration in the learning process. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation).
The findings showed that both groups achieved higher post-test scores than pre-test scores, indicating a positive impact on knowledge development. The quality evaluation of instructional media in terms of numerical modeling for design calculation yielded a mean score of 4.59 with a standard deviation of 0.52. Likewise, instructional worksheets and exercises received mean scores of 4.60, with standard deviations of 0.42 and 0.50, respectively. An experimental trial with 15 students in Group 2 revealed that the average accuracy in completing worksheets and exercises (E1) was 80.13%, while the average post-test score (E2) was 82.77%. Efficiency analysis confirmed that all values exceeded the 80% criterion, and post-test scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores at the 0.05 level. Students’ satisfaction with the instructional approach was also rated as “very high.” Overall, the results demonstrate that integrating CFD software with practice-based learning effectively enhances students’ understanding of fluid mechanics and improves academic performance.
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