Class
Article
Graduation Year
2018
College
College of Engineering
Department
Engineering Education Department
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Wade Goodridge
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to understand the neural efficiency of undergraduate engineers while they solve spatial ability and Statics (sophomore-level engineering) problems. Spatial ability is the measurement of one’s aptitude to reason and remember the spatial relations between objects or space. In engineering, spatial ability is found to be predictive of engineering success, but there is little information as to why or how spatial ability impacts engineers. The neural efficiency hypothesis states that individuals who excel in a given field will experience lower-energy related brain activity in that field whereas those who are unfamiliar with a given field experience higher-energy brain activity in certain frequency bands of neural activity. In this study, participants brain activity was observed using an electroencephalogram (EEG) while each of the participants completed spatial ability assessments (the PSVT:R and MCT) and Statics problems. The analysis of the EEG data provides insight into student expertise in spatial ability and basic engineering skills by comparing the neural efficiency levels of each participant with the results of the spatial and Statics assessments. This research will allow for greater understanding of the applicability of neural efficiency in engineering and aptitude research studies, which will be used in further studies to find ways of understanding and improving the spatial ability of engineers.
Location
Room 155
Start Date
4-13-2017 10:30 AM
End Date
4-13-2017 11:45 AM
Understanding Spatial Ability through a Neural Efficiency EEG Study
Room 155
The purpose of this research is to understand the neural efficiency of undergraduate engineers while they solve spatial ability and Statics (sophomore-level engineering) problems. Spatial ability is the measurement of one’s aptitude to reason and remember the spatial relations between objects or space. In engineering, spatial ability is found to be predictive of engineering success, but there is little information as to why or how spatial ability impacts engineers. The neural efficiency hypothesis states that individuals who excel in a given field will experience lower-energy related brain activity in that field whereas those who are unfamiliar with a given field experience higher-energy brain activity in certain frequency bands of neural activity. In this study, participants brain activity was observed using an electroencephalogram (EEG) while each of the participants completed spatial ability assessments (the PSVT:R and MCT) and Statics problems. The analysis of the EEG data provides insight into student expertise in spatial ability and basic engineering skills by comparing the neural efficiency levels of each participant with the results of the spatial and Statics assessments. This research will allow for greater understanding of the applicability of neural efficiency in engineering and aptitude research studies, which will be used in further studies to find ways of understanding and improving the spatial ability of engineers.