Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

The Development and Testing of an Interactive Web-based Tutorial for Orthographic Drawing Instruction and Visualization Enhancement

P. E. Connolly and K. R. Maicher Purdue University

Abstract

As has been shown by significant research over the past several decades, there is much that can be done to encourage student development in visualization ability. This capability to visualize, or “see” in three-dimensional space in the mind’s eye, is crucial in many areas of computer graphics, engineering design, and manufacturing technology, and is spreading across traditional boundaries in many industries.

In conventional engineering graphics instruction, having students alternate between pictorial representations and orthographic views of an object or assembly is one method used to exercise and develop 2D/3D visualization skills. The success of this method of instruction is highly dependent on individual student ability, and often requires a significant amount of instructor mentoring. The authors have written several papers on the rationale for, and the development of, a computer-based tutorial that focuses on enhancing student capabilities with multiview orthographic drawing. An important recent enhancement to the tutorial is the incorporation of an interactive Web-based drawing application that provides real-time assessment and performance feedback. Preliminary analysis of early versions of the application has been both encouraging and informative. The authors anticipate that continued testing and development of the application will provide a novel and effective educational aid.

This paper discusses the technology and methodology used to create the tutorial and drawing application, as well as foundational and pedagogical aspects of graphics instruction and computer-based educational technology. The results of on-going quantitative and qualitative assessment are also reviewed, along with plans for future development.

Introduction

One of the major challenges that students in the engineering and technology fields often face is the inability to visualize and function in virtual three-dimensional space. The successful application of 3D principles in the transforming and viewing of graphical images is a required skill in many career areas, including many outside of traditional technological boundaries [1, 2, 3]. Although many students struggle with this skill set, there is ample research that shows that the ability to visualize in 3D environments can be developed and enhanced [4, 5, 6, 7]. One practical method of visualization skill development comes in the form of multiview drawing and development. Through the application of multiview drawing principles in solving challenging visualization problems, students exercise and improve their spatial acuity and comprehension by

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Maicher, K., & Connolly, P. (2005, June), The Development And Testing Of An Interactive Web Based Tutorial For Orthographic Drawing Instruction And Visualization Enhancement Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--14512