This paper on "Description of an Interactive Finite Element Course" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Summary

The organization of a finite element method course, aiming at practical applicability, requires a mixture of teaching of the theoretical foundations and the practical application thereof. The latter has to be organized in such a way that

• it stimulates the student to be very serious about it
• it confronts the student at an early stage and regular with his own knowledge of the subject
• it requires as little attention as possible from the teacher, so enabling us to cover as many students as possible.

The first objective can be achieved by using recognizable and approachable examples. the second and third objectives can be achieved by versatile courseware, computer tests and an interactive teacher. Courseware can provide the interaction in the case of rather simple problems. for more complex problems the teacher has to interact.