CAD Instruction in the Time of COVID

Derek Yip-Hoi

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Conference: 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Publication Date: August 23, 2022
Start Date: June 26, 2022
End Date: June 29, 2022
Conference Session: Engineering Design Graphics Division Technical Session 1
Page Count: 19
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--40632
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/40632
Download Count: 286

Paper Authors

biography

Derek Yip-Hoi Western Washington University

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Dr. Yip-Hoi received his Ph.D. from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan in 1997. His dissertation research focused on developing Computer-Aided Process Planning methods and software tools to support the automation of machining on Mill/Turn machining centers. Following his Ph.D., he worked for several years with the NSF Engineering Research Center for Reconfigurable Machining Systems at the University of Michigan. His work focused on developing new methodologies and techniques to assist manufacturers design and plan operations on advanced machining lines that could be rapidly reconfigured to meet changes to a product’s design or production volume. In 2003 he joined the faculty of the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of British Columbia as junior chair of the NSERC-sponsored research program in Virtual Machining. His work at this time focused on the modeling of cutter/workpiece engagement geometry to support process modeling for aerospace machining applications. In 2007 he joined the faculty of the Engineering and Design Department at Western Washington University where he is currently a professor in the Manufacturing Engineering program. His teaching and scholarship interests lie in the areas of geometric modeling, design, CAD, DFM, CAM and CNC machining.

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Abstract

Courses that teach Computer-Aided Design might be considered well suited to remote instruction. This paper reports on the experiences going online during the pandemic with one such class taught to Manufacturing Engineering majors. The challenges encountered in converting to online instruction and in the delivery of the course will be discussed. While the prior use of a flipped, blended format reduced the amount of preparation work needed for transition, other major challenges had to be overcome. An overview of the structure of the class will be given. This includes the rationale behind the selection of the remote learning platform and how it was used to maximize student access to instructors, teaching assistants and peers. The effectiveness of the platform for the various activities will be discussed. These included synchronous class meeting times for managing logistics, answering questions, and giving short complementary demonstrations, its use for providing individualized help both during and outside scheduled class meeting times, and its use to support the collaborative teamwork necessary to complete a term project. The experiences and observations of the instructor and students, and the impact on learning outcomes will be discussed. While all outcomes were achieved, these were largely technical in nature for this introductory class. Though not directly assessed at this stage in their program, there were obvious teamwork engagement challenges that some students faced that were difficult to overcome in an on-line setting. The impact of this as these students enter their junior year needs to be weighed. At the same time, there were positives that came out of this experience particularly as it relates to the use of distance learning and collaboration technologies. The benefits derived from these will likely promote their continued used as part of the new “normal” face-to-face lab instructional environment after the pandemic.

Citation
Format

Yip-Hoi, D. (2022, August), CAD Instruction in the Time of COVID Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40632