Exploring Students' Experience With the Use of System Modeling Instructions in Promoting Engineering Learning Outcomes

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Using Systems for School and Instructional Improvement

Abstract

This study explored the students’ perceptions and experiences with the use of system modeling (SM) instructional strategy in promoting their learning outcomes. The current study employed a qualitative inquiry approach to understand engineering students’ experiences. Semi-structured interviews and students’ artifacts including problem solving survey and modeling diagrams, were used to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of students’ experiences. Seven major themes emerged for the interview data including problem diagnosis, interconnection, linearity, external representation, wholeness, organize problem-solving approach, and systematic-process. The problem-solving inventory survey responses indicated that participants believed the SM approach affected their perceived problem-solving skills, especially their approach-avoidance style. Furthermore, the model diagram analysis suggested that all participants showed moderate system thinking skills after the SM strategy.

Authors

• Ademola Amida, North Dakota State University

• Woei Hung, University of North Dakota

• Cai Xia Yang, University of North Dakota

• Yun Ji, University of North Dakota

• Sameera S. Algarni, University of North Dakota