| The purposes of this quasi-experimental study were to: (a) determine if student knowledge and skills in engineering graphics significantly improved when group-based assignments were used compared to individual-based assignments; and (b) identify whether students preferred group-based assignments over individual-based assignments.;Three research questions (dependent variables) were utilized in this study. This study examined the effects of the independent variable (learning through assignment) on the three dependent variables: knowledge (gained and retained), skills (developed), and attitudes (student preference).;The study utilized two sections of the undergraduate course ETE 2270, Computer Engineering Drafting, taught at Utah State University (USU) in Logan during spring semester 2006. The study used the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) Laboratory located in the Industrial Science building. The laboratory consisted of 38 individual student workstations. Each workstation had AutoCAD 2006 software (© Copyright 2006 Autodesk, Inc.).;The findings of the study found no statistical significant difference in knowledge gained and retained (research question one), and skills developed (research question two) relative to the effectiveness of group-based assignments compared to individual based assignments. Additionally, the study found no practical significant difference in which method of learning students preferred. |
