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Presentation
Mechatronics and Academic Success: Towards Understanding the Impacts of Age, Major, and Technical Experience
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations
  • John R. Haughery, Iowa State University
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Disciplines
Conference
2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Conference Title
2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Conference Date
June 24-27, 2018
Geolocation
(40.7607793, -111.89104739999999)
Abstract

This study built on previous research that found significant differences in the mean level of academic success (i.e., course grades) for students who participated in a mechatronic experience (i.e., integrating mechanical, electronic, and computer systems) vs. those who did not. This paper further examined this variation in course grades by conducting a two-way Analysis of Covariance to understand the impact academic major (i.e., technology major vs. non-technology major) and group assignment (i.e., control vs. treatment) had, while controlling for pre-study covariates of GPA, ACT, age, and technical experience. When adjusting for differences in ACT and GPA scores, we found significant main effects for group assignment (expected), but not for major (unexpected). Furthermore, no interaction effects where found between academic major and group assignment. When analyzing age and previous technical experience level (i.e., mechanical, electrical, and computer systems), we found age to be a significant predictor of course grades, while previous experience (in any area) was not. This would indicate that younger students performed better in the course, while, contrary to education theory, previous technical experience had no impact on course grades. This study used a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent group design with a convenience sample of n = 84 students in a first-year technology course. It looks to expand the empirical foundations supporting the impacts of mechatronic experiences on academic success.

Comments

This proceeding is published as Haughery, John R. "Mechatronics and Academic Success: Towards Understanding the Impacts of Age, Major, and Technical Experience." Paper ID #22460. 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. Salt Lake City, UT. https://peer.asee.org/30801. Posted with permission.

Rights
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Copyright Owner
American Society for Engineering Education
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
John R. Haughery. "Mechatronics and Academic Success: Towards Understanding the Impacts of Age, Major, and Technical Experience" Salt Lake City, UT(2018) p. 22460
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john-haughery/17/