Predicting success in first-year drafting for college students through the use of geometric forms

Abstract

The Problem: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a two-phase test to predict the innate drafting and designing capabilities of college students. No test in which the latent capabilities of students to understand and use the concepts of both the second and third dimension was available. Traditionally, problems in these areas (drafting and designing) were presented in the second dimension and considered in the third. A limitation for this type of presentation was the assumption that all students were to apply the same thought process to solve specific problems in drafting and design. The Procedure: developing the problems for this study was completed in two phases. The first involved the construction of three-, four-, and five-unit three-dimensional blocks which when correctly assembled created a large rectangle. The solutions were of two types: multiple choice and manipulative which was the sketching of a front and top view of an assembled three-dimensional block. Four alternatives were created for the multiple choice items, each problem having a correct answer and three alternatives. The sketching problems had no predetermined solution; however, whatever arrangement of blocks the student created, the front and top views had to be compatible. The test used in this study was administered during the first two weeks of the second semester to one hundred and twelve students from three universities. The predictive nature of the evaluation device required a complete semester to validate the test results utilizing mid-term and final grades..