Meeting diversity during the covid-19 pandemic in a fully online learning environment

Abstract

Diversity among engineering students is growing more and more acknowledgeable in higher education – especially in first year classes where in applied universities students from many backgrounds form new classes. Differences in education (high school, job training, dual careers, etc.) are as common as various social aspects (family duties, etc.) that delay full time studying. This challenges students as well as lecturers especially in the covid-19 pandemic of 2020/2021. A standard based portfolio grading enables students to participate and place different skills in their cumulative assessment. The online course structure using Moodle as content management system (CMS) is based on inverted classroom teaching scenarios. These are supported by peer-to-peer lecture films and micro-lectures along with various online teaching materials and online meeting sessions. The portfolio cumulatively grades lectures, presentations, forum discussions, written homework and glossary entries. Although benefits of present classes are obvious the course results improved over previous semester especially for students with language difficulties. This paper reflects on the possibility to meet diversity in the covid-19 pandemic and enable first year mechanical engineering students to grow more homogeneous regarding scholarly work.