Analyzing CAD competence with univariate and multivariate learning curve models

In English Understanding how learning occurs, and what improves or impedes the learning process is of importance to academicians and practitioners; however, empirical research on validating learning curves is sparse. This paper contributes to this line of research by collecting and analyzing CAD (computer-aided design) procedural and cognitive performance data for novice trainees during 16-weeks of training. The declarative performance is measured by time, and the procedural performance by the number of features used to construct a design part. These data were analyzed using declarative or procedural performance separately as predictors (univariate), or a combination of declarative or procedural predictors (multivariate). Furthermore, a method to separate the declarative and procedural components from learning curve data is suggested. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.