Face-to-Face, Hybrid, or Online?: Issues Faculty Face Redesigning an Introductory Engineering Graphics Course

Authors

  • Theodore Branoff North Carolina State University
  • Eric Wiebe North Carolina State University

Abstract

A hybrid introductory course was developed and piloted during the Fall 2007 semester in three laptop sections (i.e., all of the students owned and brought laptops to class each day). The online portion of the course included voiced-over content presentations, software demonstrations, and sketching examples as well as online assessments. Sections met in the classroom once each week where instructors discussed and demonstrated essential CAD and textbook content. This time was also used to answer student questions and give feedback on homework and CAD exercises. Outside of class, students were expected to view the online content, complete CAD and sketching exercises, and complete a weekly online assessment. No difference was found between final exam scores in the hybrid sections and the face-to-face sections. This paper discusses the implementation of the hybrid introductory engineering graphics course, summarizes data collected during the Fall 2007 semester pilot study, and offers some discussions about the relative advantages and disadvantages of face-to-face, hybrid, and all online delivery.

Issue

Section

Feature Articles