On-line course on engineering mathematics: Students' experience with pilot course material

Engineering marvels have enabled to have a better quality of human life and society needs an increasing number of engineers [1]. Common practice of higher education institutions is to incorporate mathematics knowledge and skills into engineering education [2]. This paper presents an alternative approach to fostering mathematics skills in engineering education: undergraduate student skill development in an online course created by an international team of academics. The purpose of this paper is to present the preliminary results of a pilot study of an engineering mathematics online course. This study draws on feedback questionnaires of students from Portugal, Spain, Poland, Romania and Estonia. Preliminary results indicate that the students had very little experience with the subject covered before joining their class. They found the theoretical materials to be helpful and had little to no difficulties in understanding them. The practice tests were of high quality and offered a good feedback and were aligned with the theoretical materials. There was more than enough time to solve assessment tests and most felt that doing the assessment activities would help them both in the final assessment and in real life. Students found the materials easy to use as with nice graphics and not too much text. The platform was easy to navigate and the material presented in a logical, intuitive way. Some students felt the performance of used platform could be improved and it would be beneficial to add assessment tests from multiple subjects, not only for each section.