skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Title: Active learning in engineering graphics: An analysis of self-efficacy for at-risk and not at-risk students
Part of a more extensive National Science Foundation-funded study, this study presents the findings and analysis of the effect on three-dimensional modeling self-efficacy (3DSE) by the inclusion of online active learning modules (ALM). Using multiple datasets, we found that the use of ALM in an introductory engineering graphics course, closed a gap in 3DSE scores between majority and minority students, populations historically underrepresented in engineering. Although limited to a single university, the results support that the inclusion of active online learning may address an important construct known to be a factor in academic success and persistence in engineering.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1900348
PAR ID:
10169397
Author(s) / Creator(s):
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Engineering design graphics journal
Volume:
83
Issue:
2
ISSN:
1949-9167
Page Range / eLocation ID:
46-59
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. This paper describes the creation of an active learning framework and process of module development in efforts to build requisite knowledge and skills for at-risk learners enrolled in university introductory engineering design and technical graphics courses. Specifically, the module sequence, strategy for building direct relevance for at-risk populations, and culminating performance-based learning tasks are identified and detailed. Student-oriented reference points of learning are leveraged through relevant imagery, examples, and objects in further building personalized meaning and deeper comprehension of processes. Ten learning modules were initially developed within the Problem-Based Learning Modules (PBLM) framework and are currently being pilot tested under the Active Learning Modules to Support Problem-Based Learning: Effects on Engineering Retention and Academic Outcomes of At-Risk Students project funded through the National Science Foundation IUSE Program (Award # 1725874) to refine through evidence-based process outcomes. 
    more » « less
  2. This innovative practice paper describes how we implement active learning through collaborative online laboratory experiences as a work in progress. The goal of our project is to develop and implement various instructional tools and learning strategies in order to improve the quality of electrical engineering online labs. The applied strategies include integration of open-ended design experiences into lab work, accomplishing virtual teamwork, creating an online learning community and overcoming the isolation, incorporation of pre-lab simulations and videos. We believe that active learning labs will help students develop a deeper understanding, build self-confidence and improve critical thinking skills while increasing the sense of belonging in the field of engineering. 
    more » « less
  3. This Work-In-Progress falls within the research category of study and, focuses on the experiences and perceptions of first- and second year engineering students when using an online engineering game that was designed to enhance understanding of statics concepts. Technology and online games are increasingly being used in engineering education to help students gain competencies in technical domains in the engineering field. Less is known about the way that these online games are designed and incorporated into the classroom environment and how these factors can ignite inequitable perspectives and experiences among engineering students. Also, little if any work that combines the TAM model and intersectionality of race and gender in engineering education has been done, though several studies have been modified to account for gender or race. This study expands upon the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by exploring perspectives of intersectional groups (defined as women of color who are engineering students). A Mixed Method Sequential Exploratory Research Design approach was used that extends the TAM model. Students were asked to play the engineering educational game, complete an open-ended questionnaire and then to participate in a focus group. Early findings suggest that while many students were open to learning to use the game and recommended inclusion of online engineering educational games as learning tools in classrooms, only a few indicated that they would use this tool to prepare for exams or technical job interviews. Some of the main themes identified in this study included unintended perpetuation of inequality through bias in favor of students who enjoyed competition-based learning and assessment of knowledge, and bias for students having prior experience in playing online games. Competition-based assessment related to presumed learning of course content enhanced student anxiety and feelings of intimidation and led to some students seeking to “game the game” versus learning the material, in efforts to achieve grade goals. Other students associated use of the game and the classroom weighted grading with intense stress that led them to prematurely stop the use of the engineering tool. Initial findings indicate that both game design and how technology is incorporated into the grading and testing of learning outcomes, influence student perceptions of the technology’s usefulness and ultimately the acceptance of the online game as a "learning tool." Results also point to the need to explore how the crediting and assessment of students’ performance and learning gains in these types of games could yield inequitable experiences in these types of courses. 
    more » « less
  4. Camps-Valls, Gustau; Ruiz, Francisco J.; Valera, Isabel (Ed.)
    Recently, structure learning of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) has been formulated as a continuous optimization problem by leveraging an algebraic characterization of acyclicity. The constrained problem is solved using the augmented Lagrangian method (ALM) which is often preferred to the quadratic penalty method (QPM) by virtue of its standard convergence result that does not require the penalty coefficient to go to infinity, hence avoiding ill-conditioning. However, the convergence properties of these methods for structure learning, including whether they are guaranteed to return a DAG solution, remain unclear, which might limit their practical applications. In this work, we examine the convergence of ALM and QPM for structure learning in the linear, nonlinear, and confounded cases. We show that the standard convergence result of ALM does not hold in these settings, and demonstrate empirically that its behavior is akin to that of the QPM which is prone to ill-conditioning. We further establish the convergence guarantee of QPM to a DAG solution, under mild conditions. Lastly, we connect our theoretical results with existing approaches to help resolve the convergence issue, and verify our findings in light of an empirical comparison of them. 
    more » « less
  5. This paper describes exploratory research that contributes to a more holistic model of professional development (PD) for middle school STEM teachers to support inclusive makerspace classrooms. Despite an increased focus on maker education in K-12 settings, teachers have reported limited support to deliver such instruction, especially with academically diverse learners. This case study examined instructional supports for teachers, including professional development and coaching focused on makerspace classroom activities, as well as structural conditions, the integration of metacognitive learning strategies, positive behavior supports, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Analysis of teacher interviews, surveys, and classroom observations revealed that teachers acknowledged the need for ongoing PD and the inclusion of UDL components into their lesson planning. 
    more » « less