EFFECTIVENESS OF STUDENT LEARNING IN AN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING CAPSTONE PROJECT: INVESTIGATION OF ASSESSMENT METHODS

Abstract

A deep learning approach is focused on understanding concepts, analyzing ideas, and creating a strong connection between them and prior knowledge to solve real problems. A capstone project, considered as deep learning approach, is a widely-adopted educational strategy designed to teach students to use their engineering knowledge to solve real-life engineering problems. An aerospace capstone project has been introduced at Concordia University through the NSERC Chair in Aerospace Design Engineering (NCADE) program. The goal of this paper is to investigate assessment methods to measure the effectiveness of students’ learning considering cognitive (knowledge and skills) and affective domains of learning during the NCADE capstone project. To achieve the goal, four assessment methods (i.e., Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ), Approaches to Study Inventory (ASI), Concept Mapping Technique (CMT) and Recursive Object Model (ROM)) have been investigated. The paper also discusses the methods with the purpose of implementing an ongoing continuous improvement process during the capstone project.