Exploring the Role of Visual Model Comprehension for Academic Success in Chemistry and Engineering Sciences

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: Student Learning and Development in Higher Education Poster Session

Abstract

Against the background of high drop-out rates for science-related university studies, research needs to investigate reasons for this drop-out and ways to support studying. One way to approach this is to explore the domain-specific requirements placed on learners.
In this regard, our long-term-study investigates the role of visual model comprehension and (1) its predictive power for academic success in chemistry and engineering, (2) its predictors and (3) differences between chemistry and engineering students.
First results indicate that visual model comprehension significantly predicts academic success in chemistry and engineering and can in turn be predicted by spatial and mathematical ability as well as verbal and figural reasoning. These abilities should be taken into account when trying to support learning.

Authors

• Thomas Dickmann, University of Duisburg-Essen

• Maria Opfermann, Institute of Education - Ruhr-Universität Bochum

• Stefan Rumann, University Duisburg - Essen