Basic mechanics: learning by teaching

Two distinct teaching styles were adopted for a basic mechanics course designed for technology students. The statics section of the course was taught conventionally using lectures and tutorials, whereas the dynamics part was delivered using the concept of "learning by teaching". This paper concentrates on the responses, learning outcomes, and strategies adopted by the students on the dynamics section of the course. Using the postulate "What I hear, I forget; What I see, I remember; What I do, I understand" the students, working in small groups were asked to learn agreed topics within the dynamics part of the course and then teach these to other groups of students within their year. The feedback has generally been positive with 82% of the students saying they enjoyed the course. Some of the teaching resources produced by the students are of a very high standard.