Nate Delson (UC San Diego)

Using Touchscreens to Teach Freehand Sketching and Spatial Visualization

Freehand Sketching and Spatial Visualization skills are widely used in engineering, math, and science. However, these skills are typically not formally taught, despite the fact that Spatial Visualization training has been shown to increase graduation rates in STEM majors. The current method of Spatial Visualization training has students sketching assignments with paper and pencil. A new approach developed at UCSD is to have students perform their sketching assignments on a touchscreen. We have developed an algorithm that automatically grades the students’ sketches. If the student makes a mistake, they have the option to try again, ask for a hint based on the work they have done, or ultimately peak at a solution. We have run trails for the past 3 years at UCSD, and recent results show that not only are we increasing Spatial Visualization skills, but also increasing student persistence. A startup, eGrove Education, LLC has been formed to commercialize this technology. The presentation will give an overview of our technology, recent classroom results, and what was learned in the beginning pathways to commercialization.