A series of interactive computer-based tutorials were designed and prepared for first year mechanical engineering students taking an introductory 'service' subject in materials engineering. The tutorials were designed to encourage students to be more active in their learning as a means of counter-acting problems associated with large tutorial classes. The tutorials led the students through several modules providing information, simulations and examples. Students were also asked to answer assessable questions. The response to these tutorials was very positive, although students considered some tutorials to be too long. As a consequence, these tutorials were revised and shortened