DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.21586

Summary
The educational software tool to teach and learn simulation using finite element method was presented in this article. The author presents the theory of finite element method, namely, shape functions, development of the finite element matrices, assembly of the global stiffness matrix, and procedure for solving the equations. The theory is illustrated by the representative examples of the software tool that employs the active learning approach based on the step-by-step demonstration of the procedure stages and students’ opportunity to change the parameters and analyze the impact of the change in a short time. The author also reflects the teaching experience of using the software and various application ways, for example, preparation of study material, graphical visualization of the terms used in the theory descriptions, experiment of the computational aspects, students’ self-studies. It is stated that using such tool enables students to explore various cases and therefore to understand the finite element equations by analyzing the system in its numerical, symbolic, or graphical representation.

Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
The author presents an interactive educational tool for teaching finite element model. This tool enables students to relate mathematical formulation to numerical modelling, to improve knowledge on structural mechanics, to understand the physical significance of stiffness and relate the initial conditions and the obtained results. Students also develop their critical thinking by experimenting on various structures, conditions and methods, assessing the feasibility of the results, evaluating computational efficiency. From the educational point of view, this tool used gamified approach to visualize the assemblage of structural stiffness matrix and students can experiment the relation between the changes in the analyzed structure and the structural stiffness matrix. The author states that this tool encourages students to prepare more creative and extensive works for the given assignments.

Point of Strength
The strength of this article is a presented visualization approach using educational tool to teach finite element method. This approach encourages students’ creativity and results in better understanding of the relations.