Pilot of Systematic Ideation Study With Lessons Learned

This work describes an experiment to research improving the ideation performance of undergraduate engineering students in classroom settings. This research investigates the impact of TRIZ, increasing emphasis on sketching during design, and using the Pulse Smartpen, on ideation performance. The research team’s goal is to develop an experimental design and protocols for this suite of ideation tools. Successful experimentation will provide a standard way to benchmark ideation tool effectiveness. The experimental design includes training students in the appropriate tools for their treatment condition and presenting students with an ideation design assignment. The design assignment results will be analyzed using ideation measures of novelty, variety, quantity and quality as defined in the literature. Results from pilot work at three institutions are introduced here along with observations on the experimental process to date.