Innovative Web-Based Teaching Strategies and Tools INTERNET LIVE SHAKE-TABLE TESTING FOR EDUCATION IN EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING

There is great enthusiasm about the potential of computers for enhancing student learning in science and engineering. The Structural Engineering Department at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has initiated the Webshaker Pilot Project with the goal of facilitating accessibility to live, on-demand, experimental testing earthquake engineering applications. The project is presented in two steps: (1) Webshaker (http://webshaker.ucsd.edu), initiated with the goal of demonstrating feasibility and worthiness of a web-based, real-time monitoring and control system for civil engineering applications, and (2) Quaky (http://equake.ucsd.edu/quaky), a new pilot interactive, web-based demonstration facility that brings a live working shake-table experience into the homes and classrooms of young people, in particular to those in grades K-6. Use of live interactive testing websites for education is discussed. The developed educational content and educational assessment tools are highlighted. Further refinements continue to evolve based on student feedback. Index Terms – Internet, WWW, Education Evaluation, Shake-Table, Dynamic testing, Earthquake