Student Retention in an Engineering Technology Program: The Role of Spatial Visualization Ability
- Conference
- Location
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Minneapolis, MN
- Publication Date
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August 23, 2022
- Start Date
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June 26, 2022
- End Date
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June 29, 2022
- Conference Session
- Page Count
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13
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--40962
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/40962
- Download Count
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235
Paper Authors
Theodore Branoff Illinois State University
Dr. Branoff is a professor and chair of the Department of Technology at Illinois State University. He taught engineering graphics, computer-aided design, descriptive geometry, and instructional design courses in the College of Education at North Carolina State University from 1986-2014, and he teaches a geometric dimensioning and tolerancing course at Illinois State University. Dr. Branoff's research interests include constraint-based solid modeling strategies, spatial visualization abilities in undergraduate students, and best practices in GD&T instruction. He has conducted CAD and GD&T workshops for both industry and education professionals. Dr. Branoff has served in several roles within the Engineering Design Graphics Division of ASEE including Director of Programs, Chair, Vice-Chair, Associate Editor of the Engineering Design Graphics Journal, and Director of Professional & Technical Committees. In 2013, he was elected into the Academy of Fellows of the American Society for Engineering Education, and in 2014 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Engineering Design Graphics Division of ASEE.
Jaby Mohammed Illinois State University
Jaby Mohammed is an Assistant Professor of Technology at Illinois State University, where he teaches Data Analytics, Six Sigma, and Parametric modeling. After working with Khalifa University, Purdue University, and Morehead State University, Dr. Mohammed joined the technology department at Illinois State University. He worked as engineering faculty with Kentucky Governors Scholars Program from 2006-to 2012. Dr. Mohammed is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE). His area of research includes New Product development, human factors, six sigma, and Lean Manufacturing. He has conducted applied research in laser cladding and rapid prototyping using DMD and SLS machines. Dr. Mohammed holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Louisville, an MBA in operations management, and his Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from University of Kerala.
Joshua Brown
Abstract
Research has shown that students who perform poorly on standard measures of spatial visualization ability do not progress as well in engineering programs as students who perform better on these measures. Studies have shown that spatial visualization performance can be improved through an independent spatial visualization course. Students in the Engineering Technology program at [institution] are required to take an introductory constraint-based modeling and engineering graphics course [course]. Exercises from Introduction to 3D Spatial Visualization: An Active Approach have been integrated into this course since the fall of 2010. The course also includes an introduction to part modeling, drawings, and assemblies using Autodesk Inventor. During the fall 2015 through the fall 2018 semesters, students were administered the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Visualization of Rotations (PSVT:R) and the Mental Cutting Test (MCT) as pre and post-test measures. This paper will report demographic data of the students enrolled in the course, spatial visualization scores, persistence data for the Engineering Technology majors enrolled in the course, outcomes in other major courses, graduation data, and discuss future initiatives related to revising the Engineering Technology curriculum.
Branoff, T., & Mohammed, J., & Brown, J. (2022, August), Student Retention in an Engineering Technology Program: The Role of Spatial Visualization Ability Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40962
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