Mental models are loosely-defined constructs people form to reason and make predictions about their surroundings. These models are an important aspect of systems thinking for engineers, a concept that emphasizes holistic thinking when working with complex systems which is increasingly important in multiple engineering disciplines. Methods to evaluate systems thinking and mental models of systems traditionally rely on questionnaires, or detailed interactive simulations of specific processes. This work presents a method based on functional modules for evaluating student responses to an instrument based on Lawson’s bicycle problem, intended to elicit students’ mental models of two systems. Students were given a simple outline of the two systems, a hair dryer and a car radiator, and were prompted to fill and label the components required for the system to fulfil the functionality described. This was done in two sessions, once before learning functional modeling, and once after, to utilize the method of scoring to evaluate any changes in their mental models due to exposure to functional modeling. The scoring method identifies common functional modules between two systems using Module Heuristics, and then identifies students’ recognition of those modules. This allows a direct comparison of the functional similarity between the two systems identified by the students and can capture a wider variety of correct answers than simply counting the components a student provides.
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ASME 2018 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference
August 26–29, 2018
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Conference Sponsors:
- Design Engineering Division
- Computers and Information in Engineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5178-4
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
A Function-Based Scoring Method for Evaluating Student Mental Models of Systems
Jacob T. Nelson,
Jacob T. Nelson
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
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Alexander R. Murphy,
Alexander R. Murphy
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
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Julie S. Linsey,
Julie S. Linsey
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
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Matt R. Bohm,
Matt R. Bohm
Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL
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Robert L. Nagel
Robert L. Nagel
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
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Jacob T. Nelson
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Alexander R. Murphy
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Julie S. Linsey
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Matt R. Bohm
Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL
Robert L. Nagel
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Paper No:
DETC2018-86253, V003T04A014; 10 pages
Published Online:
November 2, 2018
Citation
Nelson, JT, Murphy, AR, Linsey, JS, Bohm, MR, & Nagel, RL. "A Function-Based Scoring Method for Evaluating Student Mental Models of Systems." Proceedings of the ASME 2018 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 3: 20th International Conference on Advanced Vehicle Technologies; 15th International Conference on Design Education. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. August 26–29, 2018. V003T04A014. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2018-86253
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