EFFECTIVENESS OF UTILIZING COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION IN TEACHING CAD TO ENGINEERING STUDENTS

摘要

This paper presents the results of an experimental study to investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of utilizing computer-assisted instruction (CAI) as a stand-alone educational tool to teach computer-aided drafting (CAD) in engineering and technology programs. While the literature is rich with research in the field of evaluating CAI as a supplementary educational tool, a very limited number of publications dealt with evaluating CAI as a stand-alone system. Also, none of the published studies focused on engineering or engineering technology education utilizing CAD systems. In this way, the present study serves as benchmark in devising a system to evaluate the effectiveness of CAI modules as a stand-alone instructional tool in engineering and technology education. In the present study, the students' cognitive performance was measured in an entry-level CAD course. The participating students were divided into two groups: 1) the Primary Experimental group, which received only the CAI module as their sole source of instruction. This group was strictly involved in self-learning, self-paced instruction with minimum interaction with the instructors or lab assistants during the length of the study. 2) The Control group, which received only conventional instruction (lectures, handouts, textbook, and lab workbook) with all the necessary support from the instructors and lab assistants. A pilot study was conducted to pre-test the measuring instrument and the grading procedures as well as the methodology of assigning the students into groups. It was concluded one semester prior to the start of the main experiment. The main study was conducted over a period of three regular semesters with a new set of two groups of students selected for each semester. At the end of each experiment, the students were given a test (the measuring instrument) that was identical for both groups. The test results were tabulated and analyzed statistically. Statistical analysis of the data collected indicated that the group of students who received conventional instruction performed better than those receiving only computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Since several factors could have contributed to these findings, a major significance of the current study is that it demonstrates the necessity to conduct similar studies at different institutions in order to evaluate the effectiveness of CAI technology as it becomes more prevalent in engineering education programs.