Design and implementation of online teaching materials on water quality for postgraduate courses in engineering

Abstract

Online education has become increasingly significant in graduate engineering programs, necessitating creative ways to ensure optimal competency development.  This article explores the design, implementation, and assessment of an online instructional resource for a water quality module incorporated into the courses Drinking Water Engineering, Wastewater Engineering, and Environmental Systems, as part of the Specialization in Drinking Water and Basic Sanitation Engineering and the Master’s Program in Environmental Engineering at the University of Cartagena. The instructional design was based on principles of active learning, self-regulation, and holistic education, by the Institutional Educational Project (IEP) of the academic programs.  A systematic four-phase methodology was implemented: (1) study of critical aspects, (2) instructional design, (3) creation of digital resources, and (4) content dissemination.  The contents were created with programs including SWAY, PowerPoint, and iMovie, as well as others licensed under Creative Commons. Learning assessment was executed via pre- and post-course surveys utilizing Google Forms.  The implementation engaged 15 graduate students, whose academic performance enhanced from an average score of 4.3/5 on the initial assessment to 4.9/5 on the final evaluation. The results show the efficacy of the online learning resource in improving graduate students' comprehension of the physical characteristics of water. It is necessary to include interactive feedback systems and digital simulation technologies to enhance the learning experience. Incorporating online instructional materials in graduate engineering courses enhances students' technical skills and increases content accessibility.