Improving and Assessing the Spatial Ability of Engineering Students Using a CAD Integrated Physical Model Rotator

该项目将空间能力作为科学、技术、工程教育中的一项基本技能。在工程、化学、生物和物理的本科学习中，空间能力和成绩之间存在着很强的相关性。特别是，当计算机辅助设计(CAD)软件或零件图以二维形式表示三维对象时，正确可视化三维对象的能力是当前机械工程、土木工程和土木工程专业学生的一项重要空间技能。研究表明，STEM学生的空间能力将通过培训得到提高，例如，在使用3D计算机建模软件和纸和铅笔练习的长达一学期的课程中，学生在发展这些技能时更喜欢与真实的物理物体同时工作。此外，在一个学期的课程中，空间能力训练已经导致了在工程和技术领域的留存能力的提高。然而，最优的训练方法是未知的。例如，较短的训练，花费的时间比整个学期少得多，可能会产生类似的结果，而实际物理模型与常用的CAD软件程序的集成可能会在空间能力方面产生进一步的进步。此外，迫切需要确定哪些学生由于空间技能发展不佳而处于危险之中，因此谁应该成为加强培训的目标。在拟议的研究中，将设计和实施计算机集成物理模型旋转器(PMR)装置，用于空间能力评估和培训。PMR设备将旋转与计算机屏幕上相同对象的虚拟模型同步运动的真实对象。这个简单的设备将帮助用户弥合3D对象与其在计算机屏幕上的2D表示之间的感知差距。在建造设备之后，将进行一项研究，以评估其有效性并制定最佳培训方法。这项研究将包括新汉普郡大学的机械工程和土木工程学士学位学生，以及汤普森应用科学学院的土木工程副学士学位学生。采用标准空间能力测验、自我概念和自我效能感问卷在PMR培训前后进行测评。空间能力的提高可能会特别影响妇女的留住，因为她们在工程领域的任职人数不足。将开发基于网络的评估工具，用于查明有风险的学生，然后针对这些学生进行加强培训，以提高他们的空间能力。这个项目可能会通过提高成绩来影响工科学生的质量，通过提高空间能力技能来增加留存能力，从而影响到工科学生的数量。

This project will spatial ability as an essential skill in Science, Technology, Engineering Education. A strong correlation exists between spatial ability and achievement in the undergraduate study of engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics. In particular, the ability to correctly visualize three dimensional objects when they are represented in two dimensions by Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software or in a part drawing, is a vital spatial skill for current mechanical engineering, civil technology, and civil engineering students. Research has shown that the spatial ability of STEM students will improve through training, for example during a semester long course that uses 3D computer modeling software and paper and pencil activities and also that students preferred working simultaneously with real physical objects whendeveloping these skills. Furthermore, spatial ability training over the course of a semester has lead to improved retention in engineering and technical fields. However, optimal training methods are unknown. For instance, shorter training, taking significantly less time than an entire semester, may produce similar results, and the integration of an actual physical model with commonly used CAD software programs may produce further advances in spatial ability. Additionally, there is a critical need to identify students who are at-risk due to poorly developed spatial skills and who should thus be targeted for enhanced training. In the proposed research, a computer integrated Physical Model Rotator (PMR) device will be designed and implemented for use in spatial ability assessment and training. The PMR device will rotate a real object in synchronous motion with a virtual model of the same object on the computer screen. This simple device will assist the user in bridging the perceptual gap between the 3D object and its 2D representation on thecomputer screen. Device construction will be followed by a study to assess its effectiveness and to develop optimal training methodology. The study will include bachelor degree mechanical engineering and civil engineering students from the University of New Hampshire and associate degree civil technology students from the Thompson School of Applied Science. Standard spatial ability tests and selfconcept and self-efficacy questionnaires will be used for evaluation before and after PMR training. The spatial ability improvements attained may particularly affect the retention of women, who are underrepresented in engineering fields. Web-based assessment tools will be developed which will be used to identify at-risk students who will then be targeted for enhanced training to improve their spatial ability. This project may affect both the quality, through improved achievement, and quantity, through increased retention, of engineering students by improving spatial ability skills.