This document outlines a collaborative soils, concrete, and masonry lab assignment. Students will complete reading assignments, a pre-test, and listen to a guest speaker to learn terminology. They will then create instruction sheets and apply their knowledge hands-on. Their understanding will be assessed through a video explanation of their work, rubrics, and a post-test. The instructor seeks to improve the lab by refining assessments and better aligning assignments with hands-on activities. The goal is for students to gain knowledge and skills assessed in five learning outcomes.

1. Glenda Mayo
Concrete, Soils and Masonry
Lab - Collaborative
Assignment
High Impact Practices

2. This exam is typically taken by students close to
graduating from a Construction Management
Degree and is a precursor to the Certified
Professional Constructor Exam.
Students are ranked nationally with other
Construction Programs.
Current areas of weakness:
Engineering Concepts (structures and soils)
Materials, Methods, and Project Visualization
* But above National Average in areas of safety and administration

3. Activity Learning Outcome
Assessment of Learning Outcome
Knowledge level
After reading handouts, students will be able to respond correctly
to questions regarding written terms for the masonry tools,
products, codes and standards, and construction methods.
Online pre-test.
Comprehension
Guest Speaker from Masonry Industry: Students will be able to
Homework assignment requiring a written lab
describe (orally and written) terms for the masonry tools, products,
"instruction" sheet.
codes and standards, and construction methods.
Application
Students will apply what they have learned in handson application of their lab instruction sheet.
Soils Concrete Masonry Day (see attached Exhibit 1).
Analysis
Soils Concrete Masonry Day (see attached Exhibit 1).
Synthesis
Video will be taken on event day. Students will be asked to explain
the process they are completing while working on their project.
Students will be able to verbally explain the process using correct
terminology.
Evaluation
Video will be taken on event day. Students will be asked to explain
the process they are completing while working on their project.
Students will be able to verbally explain the process using correct
terminology.
Students will apply what they have learned in handson application of their lab instruction sheet.
Rubric developed to assess the student's ability to
verbally explain the project and more specifically, the
part of the project they are currently working tasked
to complete. (video)
Online post-test to assess that students have
developed a better understanding of the teminology
based on their pre-test.

4. Post -test
Guest
Speaker
Pre-test
Reading
Assignment
and
Homework
Lab
Instruction
Sheet

5. Outcome 1, Experimentation Analysis – Ability to design
experiments to investigate scientific or engineering questions
through selection and use of methods and equipment for data
collection
Outcome 2, Teamwork: Ability to organize and/or participate in
an appropriate multidisciplinary project team.
Outcome 3, Engineering Problems: Ability to apply knowledge
and to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
Outcome 4, Communication: Ability to gather information from
varied sources, resolve inconsistencies, integrate that information
into the task objective
Outcome 5, Modern Tools: An ability to use the
techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice

8. Continuing to Improve the Lab
Instructor’s Refection:
1. Using new lab equipment and new soils lab
area.
2. Refine rubric
3. Refine homework assignment to align better
with the hand-on lab assignment (include lab
reports).
4. Gap analysis to ensure AIC information is
covered

9. Masonry Day
Video