Engineering design is known as an answer to an ill-defined problem. As any answer to an ill-defined problem, it can never be completely right or absolutely wrong. The methods that universities use to teach engineering design, as a consequence of this, suffer from the same fate. However, the accumulated experience with the "chalk and…

Students often have difficulty grasping the principles of dimensional tolerances and frequently fail to recognize that dimensioning practice has a significant impact on the tolerance of part features. This observation may be attributed to several factors, not the least of which are changes in prior student education and life experiences and…

In recent years major changes have been introduced into the system of higher education in the common European Higher Educational Area (EHEA). On account of the Bologna Process the EHEA is leading to greater compatibility and comparability of the systems of higher education and is making it easier for learners to be mobile and for institutions to…

Engineering design graphics courses taught in colleges or universities should provide and equip students preparing for employment with the basic occupational graphics skill competences required by engineering and technology disciplines. Academic institutions should introduce and include topics that cover the newer and more efficient graphics…

Discussion of technical education as part of the engineering education curriculum focuses on the effects of computerization, specifically the computerization of technical drawing. Topics include computer-aided graphics, computer-aided design, and the need for curriculum changes to allow more hours of practical work. (Author/LRW)

This report investigates the feasibility of including computer aided design (CAD) materials in engineering courses. Section 1 briefly discusses the inevitability of CAD being adopted widely by British industry and the consequent need for its inclusion in engineering syllabi at all levels. A short description of what is meant by CAD follows in…

The Northwest Suburban Career Cooperative (Illinois) developed tech prep curricula for drafting/computer-aided design and electronics training program areas. Task forces selected for the two program areas identified the type of curriculum that should be provided to train future employees and the competencies needed by students successfully…

A project was conducted in Virginia to develop a coordinated, articulated, competency-based curriculum for selected industrial arts areas from an identified common core of competencies. The competencies would include a set of performance objectives, a set of criterion-referenced measures, and a set of instructional resource guides in the…

North Seattle Community College decided to integrate computer-aided design/drafting (CAD/D) into its Electro-Mechanical Drafting Program. This choice necessitated a redefinition of the program through new curriculum and course development. To initiate the project, a new industrial advisory council was formed. Major electronic and recruiting firms…

Intended for use in competency-based and criterion-referenced vocational programs, this articulated, performance-based instruction objectives guide for Drafting I is designed for reference use in the articulation of drafting programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels. It consists of a description of the development of the guide, 14…

The objective of this project was to develop computer literacy and a working knowledge of microprocessor applications and digital circuits for teachers in selected vocational subject areas. Twenty-four vocational trade and industry teachers completed 16 hours of training in microprocessor skills for computerized instruction and curriculum update.…

Individualized, competency-based curriculum materials were developed for a course on Principles of Technology, Units 1-6. New and updated curriculum materials in Drafting and Electronics and the Principles of Technology units were pilot tested in area vocational center settings in Illinois. A computer maintenance program was also developed but not…

A project at Texas State Technical College developed a curriculum to bridge the gap between the competency level of persons who enter college having completed the secondary component of a tech prep program and those who had not. The project used a technical advisory committee, two task forces, and a panel of experts to identify the competency…

A 1-year project conducted by Elgin Community College (ECC) with the cooperation of Illinois School District #300 accomplished the following: (1) developed a curriculum to meet business and industry needs; (2) strengthened basic skills instruction in mathematics, science, and computers; (3) developed a 3-2-2 program allowing high school seniors to…

A project was conducted at the University of Missouri-Columbia to develop, revise, and complete curriculum materials for nine secondary vocational education programs and specialized areas: forestry, advanced crops, clerical/secretarial, junior high home economics, textile fibers, drafting and design, metals, licensed practical nursing/advanced…