Investigating mental models of mechanical engineering students

Frieder Loch, Birgit Vogel-Heuser, Frank Reinhold, Saskia Bock, Sarah Hofer, Kristina Reiss

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Today's innovation processes are interdisciplinary and require communication between stakeholders from different domains. The compatibility of mental models, which determine how individuals think about technical problems, decides the success of this communication. Previous research indicates that mechanical engineering students prefer procedural over structural approaches. However, structured research into the source of this preference is rare. This paper presents a study (n = 67) that investigates the mental models of mechanical engineering students of technical systems. Results indicate that mental models may depend on the presentation of a problem. A questionnaire yielded a preference for a procedural approach, while questions prompting verbal information instead yield a structural preference.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2019 18th International Conference on Information Technology Based Higher Education and Training, ITHET 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728124643
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2019
Event18th International Conference on Information Technology Based Higher Education and Training, ITHET 2019 - Magdeburg, Germany
Duration: 26 Sep 201927 Sep 2019

Publication series

Name2019 18th International Conference on Information Technology Based Higher Education and Training, ITHET 2019

Conference

Conference18th International Conference on Information Technology Based Higher Education and Training, ITHET 2019
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityMagdeburg
Period26/09/1927/09/19

Keywords

  • Engineering education
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Mental Models
  • Programming paradigms

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