Effects of Human Factors in Engineering and Design for Teaching Mathematics: A Comparison Study of Online and Face–to-Face at a Technical College

Abstract

The focus of this study was to examine four characteristics for successful and unsuccessful students enrolled in basic mathematics courses at a technical college. The characteristics, considered to be in part effects of human factors in engineering and design, examined the preferred learning styles, computer information systems competency, on-screen reading ability, and keyboarding proficiency. Students self-selected one of two course delivery formats, online and face-to-face, for a basic mathematics class. The measures of the four characteristics were collected for each combination of class format and success. The study found that the class format and success status relative to the measured characteristics individually did not produce significant differences. There was a significant interaction of the factors noted for the social preferred learning style suggesting that successful face-to-face students had a weaker preference for a social learning style than non-successful students did. Two hundred eighty eight students participated in the study.