ERIC Number: EJ898994
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Nov
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0263-5143
EISSN: N/A
Technology and Engineering Education Students' Perceptions of Hands-On and Hands-Off Activities
Sianez, David M.; Fugere, Madeleine A.; Lennon, Carter A.
Research in Science & Technological Education, v28 n3 p291-299 Nov 2010
Technology and engineering education students responded to a survey regarding hands-on and hands-off activities. First, the students listed hands-on and hands-off activities and what characterized the two types of activities. Activities such as building or assembling something as well as working manually with tools were viewed as hands-on. Passive activities such as listening or watching were perceived as hands-off. Then, the students rated 30 different activities on a bipolar scale ranging from 1 (high degree hands-off) to 7 (high degree hands-on). A Principal Components Factor Analysis of the 30 activities revealed two independent factors. The hands-off factor consisted of many modern technological activities such as computer-aided design, using a three-dimensional printer, and constructing functional prototypes using stereo-lithography technology. The hands-on factor consisted of more traditional activities such as rebuilding an engine and using a screwdriver. These results suggest that students perceive traditional activities as more hands-on than modern activities. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Engineering Education, Student Attitudes, Factor Analysis, Engineering, Technical Education, College Students, Hands on Science, Experiential Learning, Student Surveys, Instructional Design, Comparative Analysis, Learning Activities, Listening, Observation, Computer Assisted Design, Instructional Effectiveness, Higher Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A