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.

Spearman concluded that performance on any test of mental ability could be explained by several cognitive factors organized hierarchically as one general factor and several subordinate specific factors (Spearman, 1904, 1927). The general factor accounted for the significant amount of inter-correlation between all ability tests for any one individual while the specific factor explained the variation that was unique to each test. While there has been much debate in the literature as to what the specific factors are, with many different combinations of number and type of ability, three abilities — verbal, quantita¬tive and spatial –consistently emerge as playing a dominant role in cognition (Kyllonen, 1996).

This paper describes the development and implementation of an online working drawing review video and online assessment tool. Particular attention was paid to dimensioning and ASME ANSI Y14 standards with the goal of improving the quality of the working drawings required in final design project reports. All members of freshmen design teams in the fall 2008 semester were required to watch this video and pass an online assessment before they could turn in their final design project reports. The School of Engineering maintained scanned copies of design project reports for the fall 2006 and 2007 semesters. A separate working drawing assessment rubric was developed and used to evaluate the working drawings for these semesters so that a comparison could be made with the project working drawings submitted for the fall 2008 semester. The working drawing review videos and the online assessment tool are available on request for Engineering Design Graphics (EDG) faculty members.