The role of representations in an inductive deductive inductive approach in engineering: perspective from Mechanics of Materials

An inductive-deductive-inductive (I-D-I pedagogical approach,
strengthened with physical model representation (PMR) was
taken in a mechanics of materials course. The first inductive
phase consisted of visualization and experimentation with a
simple physical model. The second inductive phase consisted of
problem solving and physical model development. The two
inductive phases were bridged with a more deductive
development of the constitutive equations. The implementation
of this approach in a course that previously only used lecture
resulted in a significant increase in the student passing rate and
decrease in the number of withdrawals. The importance of the
three phases and the physical representation is discussed.