Innovative Teaching in Transportation Engineering: Experiential Labs and Blended Learning

When: March 18, 2025 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET

This webinar is led by the ITE Education Council.

Webinar Description:

As transportation engineering evolves, so must the methods used to teach it. This webinar explores innovative instructional strategies that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes in transportation engineering courses. The session will feature two presentations showcasing practical approaches to modernizing engineering education.

The first presentation demonstrates the value of experiential learning through a "living lab" approach. Using a real-world corridor in Albuquerque, NM, students conduct safety and traffic analyses, applying classroom concepts to real transportation challenges. The project culminates in students presenting their findings to city officials and the neighborhood association, reinforcing the importance of community engagement in engineering education.

The second presentation examines a five-year case study on implementing blended learning—an approach that integrates flipped instruction with traditional face-to-face lectures. It explores student perceptions and learning outcomes before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting key strategies, challenges, and evidence-based recommendations for successful implementation.

This webinar will provide transportation educators with practical insights into integrating blended learning and hands-on, real-world projects into their courses, ultimately preparing students for success in the field.

Learning Objectives:

First Presentation:

• Build concept for teaching a transportation course around an actual project
• Develop history and context of the study project
• Discuss/obtain data needs and perform analysis (including traffic, safety, and noise)
• Develop design recommendations based on previous analysis

Second Presentation:

• Define the blended instructional approach and describe its benefits compared to traditional face-to-face instruction and flipped classrooms.
• Identify key challenges and opportunities for implementing blended learning in transportation engineering courses.
• Describe examples of evidence-based instructional activities for blended transportation engineering courses.
• Compare and contrast students' perceptions and attitudes toward blended classrooms before and after their exposure to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moderator: Masoud Ghodrat Abadi, P.E., Associate Professor | California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento, CA, USA

Presenters:

• Nicholas Ferenchak, P.E., Center Director - USDOT Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Co-Director - New Mexico Transportation Center Associate Professor - Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering | University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM, USA
• Jalil Kianfar, P.E., Gene Kranz Associate Professor | Saint Louis University | St. Louis, MO, USA