Design and validation of an augmented book for spatial abilities development in engineering students

[EN] This paper presents an application of augmented reality for improving spatial abilities of engineering students. An augmented book called AR-Dehaes has been designed to provide 3D virtual models that help students to perform visualization tasks to promote the development of their spatial ability during a short remedial course. A validation study with 24 Mechanical Engineering freshmen at La Laguna University (Spain) has concluded that the training had a measurable and positive impact on students' spatial ability. On the other hand, results obtained using a satisfaction questionnaire illustrate that AR-Dehaes is considered an easy to use, attractive, and very useful technique for students. AR-Dehaes has proved to be a very cost-effective tool insofar as it only required an ordinary PC with a webcam to be used.Martín-Gutiérrez, J.; Saorín, J.; Contero, M.; Alcañiz Raya, ML.; Pérez Lopez, DC.; Ortega Pérez, M. (2010). Design and validation of an augmented book for spatial abilities development in engineering students. Computers & Graphics. 34(1):77-91. doi:10.1016/j.cag.2009.11.003S779134

INCREASING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS\u27 MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS THROUGH IMPROVING THEIR SPATIAL VISUALIZATION SKILLS BY LEARNING AND PRACTICING THREE-DIMENSIONAL DYNAMIC GEOMETRY WITH CABRI 3D

Problem-solving is one of the standards of mathematics processes developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Many research studies indicated that there was a relationship between mathematics achievement and spatial visualization skills. But the research results still didn’t indicate whether or not there was a causal mediation relationship between the achievement of learning-and-practicing three-dimensional geometry and mathematical problem-solving skills mediated by spatial visualization skills. Therefore, it’s still necessary for us to specifically investigate whether or not spatial visualization skills can be a medial factor between the increase of mathematical problem-solving skills and the effects of learning and practicing three-dimensional geometry. For effectively increasing mathematical problem-solving skills and enhancing spatial visualization skills through learning and practicing three-dimensional geometry, we need an effective tool. And for investigating which tool was effective for learning and practicing three-dimensional geometry, experimental research was conducted at one of the prestigious public senior high schools in Indonesia. This experimentation applied Cabri 3D (dynamic geometry software) for the treatment group and traditional tools (non-dynamic geometry software) for the control group. The results of this experimental research indicated that both kinds of tools were significantly able to develop and enhance students’ spatial visualization skills, but with different effect sizes. The effect size in the treatment group was bigger than the effect size in the control group. The students in the treatment group outperformed the students in the control group in spatial visualization skills and mathematical problem-solving skills. Further investigation was to investigate the causal mediation relationship between achievement in learning-and-practicing three-dimensional geometry with Cabri 3D and mathematical problem-solving skills mediated by spatial visualization skills. Mediation analysis in this research indicated that there was a significant indirect effect between achievement in learning-and-practicing three-dimensional geometry with Cabri 3D and the increase of mathematical problem-solving skills mediated by the enhanced spatial visualization skills. This experimental research was then completed with questionnaires (students’ feedback). The conclusions of this experimental research are Cabri 3D (dynamic geometry software) is an effective tool for learning and practicing three-dimensional geometry, developing and enhancing spatial visualization skills, and indirectly increasing mathematical problem-solving skills

A Visually-Enhanced Approach to Multivariate Calculus Facilitated by a Computer Algebra System

This study investigated the effects of a visually-enhanced approached to the teaching of selected multivariate calculus concepts on students’ mathematical understanding and visualization. The sample size consisted of 65 undergraduate students from Miami Dade College, a large Hispanic Serving Institution in the Southeast. A pretest – posttest, nonequivalent group design was used. CAS dynamic worksheets containing visualizations and geometric representations were created using a computer algebra system and embedded as part of the lecture in the experimental group. Instructor-developed instruments were used to measure students’ prerequisite knowledge for multivariate calculus, and students’ mathematical understanding of selected concepts. Furthermore, Yoon (2011)’s Revised PSVT: R was used to measure students’ spatial ability. Results from the statistical tests supported the hypothesis that enhancing the visual/geometric aspects of selected multivariate calculus concepts have a positive effect on students’ mathematical understanding and spatial ability

The effects of 3-dimensional CADD modeling software on the development of the spatial ability of ninth grade technology discovery students

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if there is a difference in the development of spatial abilities of ninth grade Technology Discovery students in Mississippi as measured by the Purdue Visualization of Rotations Test. Students experienced one of three differing instructional methods utilizing Pro/Desktop® 3-D CADD solid modeling software. Participants were students in Mississippi schools operating on a 4 x 4 block schedule during either fall or spring semesters during the 2005-2006 school year, and a control group of students whose schools did not offer CADD. Instructional material designed by the researcher was used for two instructional treatment methods, with existing instructional materials available for the software were used in the third instructional method. Demographic information was collected for students from 14 schools in the study. The primary research question asked if differences existed by instructional treatment method when spatial ability pretest scores, gender, ethnicity, co-registration in art, and co-registration in geometry were controlled. Analysis of Covariance was conducted to analyze the data for this research question, using the pretest as the covariate and instructional method as the fixed factor. The dependent variable was the posttest score. The other independent variables of gender, ethnicity, and co-enrollment in art and/or geometry were included in analysis. No affects concerning these additional variables was found. A statistically significant difference existed concerning the method used to instruct students on the use of 3-D CADD modeling software. The instructional consisting of method of teacher-lead instruction using the software in a design lesson, followed by student-directed modular instruction, was found to be effective. These lessons included 3-D physical models manipulated by the teacher and students. The group of students taught using this method had higher mean posttest scores than students instructed with other methods. The other instructional methods did not significantly affect student achievement on the test of spatial ability

The complex interaction between Global Production Networks, Digital Information Systems and International Knowledge Transfers

Traditionally many studies of knowledge in economics have focused on localized networks and intra-regional collaborations. However, the rising frequency by which firms collaborate within the context of global networks of production and innovation, the increasingly intricate divisions of labor involved and the extensive use of the Internet to facilitate interaction are all relatively novel trends that underline the importance of knowledge creation and flows across different locations. Focusing on this topic, the present chapter examines the complex interactions between global production networks (GPN), digital information systems (DIS) and knowledge transfers in information technology industries. It seeks to disentangle the various conduits through which different kinds of knowledge are transferred within such networks, and investigate how recent generations of DIS are affecting those knowledge transfers. The paper concludes that the dual expansion of GPN and DIS is adding new complexity to the practice of innovation: To access knowledge necessary for sustained creativity firms often have to link up with remote partners in GPN, but to be able to absorb and utilize this knowledge, they also frequently have to engage in local interactive learning processes. These local- global linkages - and the various skills necessary to operate them - are strongly interdependent, mutually reinforcing and critical for the development and maintenance of innovation-based competitiveness.

Interactive-engagement vs traditional methods: A six-thousand-student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses

The complete report from Richard Hake's long-term study of interactive engagement (IE) techniques and their effect on the understanding of physics by non-physics majors. The study analyzed diverse student populations in high schools, colleges, and universities and used pre- and post-instruction testing to determine the gains in each group. IE techniques were shown to improve student's understanding at a significantly higher rate than traditional instruction. Additionally, these IE techniques are applicable to teaching a wide range of topics. Educational levels: Graduate or professional

Child development and the aims of road safety education

Pedestrian accidents are one of the most prominent causes of premature injury, handicap and death in the modern world. In children, the problem is so severe that pedestrian accidents are widely regarded as the most serious of all health risks facing children in developed countries. Not surprisingly, educational measures have long been advocated as a means of teaching children how to cope with traffic and substantial resources have been devoted to their development and provision. Unfortunately, there seems to be a widespread view at the present time that education has not achieved as much as had been hoped and that there may even be quite strict limits to what can be achieved through education. This would, of course, shift the emphasis away from education altogether towards engineering or urban planning measures aimed at creating an intrinsically safer environment in which the need for education might be reduced or even eliminated. However, whilst engineering measures undoubtedly have a major role to play in the effort to reduce accidents, this outlook is both overly optimistic about the benefits of engineering and overly pessimistic about the limitations of education. At the same time, a fresh analysis is clearly required both of the aims and methods of contemporary road safety education. The present report is designed to provide such an analysis and to establish a framework within which further debate and research can take place

Evaluation and use of the standards in of the technical drawings in the Final Year Project

In the Industrial Engineering and Chemical Engineering courses of Madrid Polytechnic University the core subjects of Technical Design are taught on the first course but under different names in the first and second four month periods of this degree. The Final Year Project (FYP) is usually the first work in which engineers do a complete engineering project that includes different parts, such as a memory, measuring, budgets and technical drawings. This work sets out to learn and assess the use students make of the knowledge acquired in Technical Drawing subjects when preparing their FYP technical drawings. By analyzing different aspects of 1996 technical drawings included in the FYP about different scopes, it is hoped to be able to see how this specific knowledge is applied to the different specialties (mechanical, electrical, chemistry, etc.) of the degree, as well as the project topics, the type of information contained, the correct use of standards, the tools used to prepare them, etc. The paper has been conducted taking the FYPs of the last 4 years as reference for all the specializations. The purpose of this work was to detect any deficiencies, errors in knowledge, malpractice in execution, etc, in order to have additional information that will enable course content, assessment, and the teaching methodology of the subjects to be adjusted in order to improve teaching. The results of this work are implemented in the contents and practices of the subjects of the technical drawing and a new subject was also purposed