A co‐creation experiment for virtual laboratories of mechanics in engineering education

Based on the background and expertise gained during almost two decades of development and implementation of virtual laboratory applications for teaching mechanics in engineering faculties, the authors propose a novel approach for this field, in which students themselves become developers of educational computer simulations. The method, called DYOVL (“Do Your Own Virtual Laboratory”), was applied, first experimentally and then on a regular basis, with gradual optimization during consecutive years, within the practical sessions of the mechanics course taught to students in automatic control and computers. An educational website, containing application examples and several downloadable resources, was recently developed, to assist teaching by the new method. The co‐creative character of this process is manifold, as students work together with the teaching staff and with their team colleagues to program virtual laboratory applications or to suggest improvements for the existing ones. The method demonstrated favorable outcomes in terms of engagement, motivation, and inclusiveness, as well as a positive attitude of the students, shown both by pre‐ and during‐COVID satisfaction surveys. To assist potentially interested academic staff in implementing this approach in their universities, detailed methodological guidance is provided.