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Work-In-Progress: Enhancing Engineering Education: A Comparative Analysis of Low-Cost Desktop Learning Module Impact on Student Engagement and Outcomes

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

July 12, 2024

Conference Session

Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM) Technical Session 17

Tagged Division

Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/48538

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Paper Authors

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Oluwafemi J. Ajeigbe Texas A&M University

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Oluwafemi Ajeigbe is a PhD student in Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University, where his research interests include cybersecurity in industrial control systems, as well as the cognitive and pedagogical underpinnings of active learning strategies in STEM classrooms. Oluwafemi received his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (2021) from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering (2018) from All Nations University, Ghana.

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Talodabiolorun Anne Oni Washington State University

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Oluwafemi J. Sunday Washington State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0001-5541-1630

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OLUWAFEMI J. SUNDAY is a doctoral candidate studying Educational Psychology at the College of Education. His research focuses on multimedia instructional design, learning strategies, and STEM education. His interests cut across the use of multimedia.

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Olusola Adesope Washington State University

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Dr. Olusola O. Adesope is a Professor of Educational Psychology and a Boeing Distinguished Professor of STEM Education at Washington State University, Pullman. His research is at the intersection of educational psychology, learning sciences, and instructi

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Olufunso Oje Washington State University

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Olufunso Oje has a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology at Washington State University. His research interests include learning strategies in engineering education and multimedia learning. He has a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and it currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Computer Science.

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Bernard J. Van Wie Washington State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0001-7382-9715

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Prof. Bernard J. Van Wie received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D., and did his postdoctoral work at the University of Oklahoma where he also taught as a visiting lecturer. He has been on the Washington State University (WSU) faculty for 41 years and for the past 27 years has focused much of his effort on developing, implementing, assessing and propagating use of hands-on modules and interactive exercises that can be used in standard lecture classrooms so students do not need to wait till their senior year to see examples of process equipment. He also leads a strong program in bioreactor design for biomanufacturing of cartilage tissue and cells for immunotherapy.

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Jacqueline Gartner Ph.D. Campbell University

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Jacqueline Gartner is an Associate Professor and Founding Faculty at Campbell University in the School of Engineering, which offers a broad BS in engineering with concentrations in chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering.

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Prashanta Dutta Washington State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0001-5082-3994

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Prof. Prashanta Dutta received his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2001. He is the Director of the NSF NRT-LEAD program and a Professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University.

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David B. Thiessen Washington State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-4283-5914

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David B.Thiessen received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado in
1992 and has been at Washington State University since 1994. His research interests include fluid
physics, acoustics, and engineering education.

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Abstract

Ajeigbe, OJ; Oni, TA; Sunday, OJ; Oje, O; Van Wie, BJ; Adesope, OO; Dutta, P; Thiessen, DB; Gartner, JK Work-In-Progress in Evaluating Implementation of Hands-on Learning Module Implementation and Considerations of Social Cognitive Theory, American Society for Engineering Education, June 23-26, 2024, Portland, OR.

There is a growing emphasis on enhancing student engagement and comprehension in the dynamic landscape of engineering education. To address this critical need, we developed evidence-based activities to go along with Low-Cost Desktop Learning Modules (LCDLMs). These LCDLMs and associated activities were developed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application related to learning of fundamental engineering concepts in heat transfer and fluids mechanics. Previously, we investigated the impact of LCDLMs on student learning, with a focus on how different delivery modes, ranging from in-person to virtual environments, affect educational outcomes. In these studies, we also delved into demographic influences, analyzing how factors such as race, ethnicity, and gender may play a role in learning efficacy while using LCDLMs. Furthermore, our investigations have extended to assess how LCDLMs can bolster intrinsic motivation and the adoption of effective learning strategies.

Previous study results have demonstrated no significant gender disparities in learning engagement when using LCDLMs, highlighting their potential for inclusive education. Amidst the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, our previous research showed that both direct hands-on and virtual instructional approaches with the LCDLMs resulted in no significant differential gains. Performance reviews spanning various ethnicities and races presented us with encouraging outcomes for most of the groups but underscored the need for more comprehensive studies with underrepresented demographics. Additionally, we observed notable variations in student outcomes depending on the instructor, suggesting that instructional methodologies might play a critical role in educational effectiveness. Despite extensive research on LCDLMs, the variation in learning outcomes related to different types of LCDLMs, and how instructional methods affect ICAP engagement scores, remains unexamined. Our current study seeks to fill these gaps.

Preliminary results show there is a difference in instructional type between hands-on and traditional lecture approaches. The results highlight a significant difference in student-reported ICAP scores, with hands-on notably fostering deeper engagement in the Interactive category. Specifically, hands-on usage of LCDLMs resulted in a significant rise in Interactive engagement scores as compared to traditional lectures. We also found participants that who used the hydraulic loss module outperformed the shell & tubes and venturi LCDLMs types in fostering learning outcomes. We found a significant difference in post-test scores among the types of LCDLMs. Specifically, the use of the hydraulic loss module demonstrated a notably higher mean score than that of shell & tube and venturi LCDLMs. Theoretical and practical implications of these important findings suggest a potential paradigm shift is needed in instructional methods, advocating for a more hands-on, interactive learning environment. Additionally, the differential performance among the LCDLM types could guide the customization of educational tools to suit varied learning environments. Future research will delve into optimizing LCDLM design and deployment, fostering inclusive and effective learning experiences across all student demographic populations.

Ajeigbe, O. J., & Oni, T. A., & Sunday, O. J., & Adesope, O., & Oje, O., & Van Wie, B. J., & Gartner, J., & Dutta, P., & Thiessen, D. B. (2024, June), Work-In-Progress: Enhancing Engineering Education: A Comparative Analysis of Low-Cost Desktop Learning Module Impact on Student Engagement and Outcomes Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/48538

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