Parramatta Marist High School is a school in Western Sydney, New South Wales, that has over 14 years of experience in project-based learning in Stages 4 and 5 (Years 7-10). Over this period, projects have been constantly developed, redeveloped and improved by teachers based on their experience and feedback from their colleagues and their students.…

Skilled Technical Sciences (STS) programs prepare students for success through academic integration and technical skill development. This fact sheet from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of College and Career Readiness, Skilled Technical Sciences provides information on these programs.

In modern CAD and CAM manufacturing companies, engineers design parts for machines and consumable goods. Many of these parts are cut on CNC machines. Whether using a CNC lathe, milling machine, or router, the ideas and designs of engineers must be translated into a machine-readable form called G & M Code that can be used to cut parts to precise…

This article describes the Hill-Climb project of a second level Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) class. The author primarily designed the activity to increase student understanding of the assembly drawing process and its components. The emphasis on problem solving adds a dimension that can aid students in their other classes as well. By…

Career and technical education is already ahead of the curve, since automotive technology, electrical technology and electronics students across the nation have been actively engaged in learning about hybrid, electric and even solar-powered cars. Students in the Environmental Technologies Club at Central High School in Phoenix, Arizona, have built…

Experimental learning environments based on simulation usually require monitoring and adaptation to the actions the users carry out. Some systems provide this functionality, but they do so in a way which is static or cannot be applied to problem solving tasks. In response to this problem, we propose a method based on the use of intermediate…

Design plays a central role in a range of subjects at different educational levels. Students have to acquire the knowledge necessary for the execution of tasks that enable them to construct an artefact or model that can be tested by simulation and that satisfies some requirements and verifies some constraints. They achieve this by means of a…

Discusses the use of simulations in education and suggests ways in which they can be made more cost effective. Highlights include electronic performance support systems; smart tools; examples of the use of simulations in an electronics laboratory and for interpersonal problem-solving skills; and computer-aided instructional design. (Contains 11…

Discusses the use of a computer-illustrated text (CIT) with integrated software to teach electric circuit theory to college students. Examples of software use are given, including simple animation, graphical displays, and problem-solving programs. Issues affecting electric circuit theory instruction are also addressed, including mathematical…

Described is a pilot course which includes a designed set of exercises to instruct students in procedures for creating solid models. A detailed description and analysis of students' various approaches used in completing a final design project are included. (KR)

Recent advances in artificial intelligence and the cognitive sciences have made it possible to develop successful intelligent computer-aided instructional systems for technical and scientific training. In addition, computer-aided design (CAD) environments that support the rapid development of such computer-based instruction have also been recently…

Described is a course that offers students the opportunity to learn the graphics language of computers in conjunction with the traditional engineering design graphics concepts. The course objectives, course description, course administration, and advantages to using the dual approach are included. (KR)

Described is the evolution of a multimedia approach for teaching Computer Aided Design (CAD). The presentation includes video tapes, a computer, an overhead camera, and hard-copy handouts containing class notes and CAD assignments. Also described is a complete "on-demand" training system for future use. (KR)