VOLUME 19 NUMBER 2 (July to December 2026)

The impact of Symbolab software integration on mechanics comprehension in Applied Physics education for Civil Engineering undergraduates

This quasi-experimental study investigated the effectiveness of Symbolab software integration in enhancing mechanics comprehension among first-year civil engineering students at Thu Dau Mot University, Vietnam. Ninety participants were randomly assigned to experimental (n=45) and control groups (n=45). The experimental group received 8-week Symbolab-enhanced instruction covering kinematics, dynamics, and energy concepts, while the control group received traditional instruction. Post-test scores on a validated 25-item mechanics assessment revealed significantly higher performance in the experimental group (M=78.5, SD=8.2) than in the control group (M=69.2, SD=10.5), with a large effect size (Cohen's d=0.98, t(88)=4.56, p<0.001). Qualitative analysis of semi-structured student interviews revealed enhanced problem-solving confidence, improved visualization of abstract concepts, and increased engagement in mechanics learning. These findings provide compelling evidence that Symbolab integration significantly improves student comprehension of mechanics concepts in civil engineering education, suggesting that technology-enhanced pedagogical approaches warrant broader implementation in STEM curricula.