Work in progress-impact of a remedial 3-D visualization course on student performance and retention

The purpose of this study was to assess whether a remedial spatial visualization course impacted student retention and success in lower level engineering courses. Engineering freshmen who score below 60% on the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Visualization of Rotations (PSVT:R) are encouraged to take an optional 1-credit remedial spatial visualization course in their first semester. Course grades and retention rates of students who failed the PSVT:R and either chose to take the optional course (n=169) or chose not to take the course (n=173) were compared. It was found the remedial course had a positive impact on retention, both at the university and in engineering. Students who took the optional course also earned higher grades in two introductory engineering courses and in a combined statics and mechanics of materials course.