Learning style preferences of engineers in automotive design

Abstract

An investigation was conducted in the design department of a medium-sized automotive company to establish engineers' preferred learning styles. This was achieved by using 2 proven questionnaires followed by statistical analysis methods. The evidence showed that the engineers investigated have a significant visual learning style preference. This means that their learning is more effective by using diagrams, sketches, photographs, schematics, flow charts, pictures, videos, computer graphics, and demonstrations in training programs and in their everyday working environment. The present computer-aided design (CAD) training in the company does incorporate some of these visual techniques and so does satisfy the engineers' visual learning style preference. Evidence also suggested that there is not a need to have different training and learning methods for design engineers and for managerial engineers such as project engineers and team leaders.