What are, in your mind, two unique or interesting or different or noteworthy ways Instructional Design/Technology has been used in business & industry that you believe could be usefully applied to your own professional work? Explain.
One of the topics discussed in chapter 18 was rapid prototyping, which I have already found is a useful tool in my classroom. I teach drafting/CAD classes, and often use parts that have been created using a rapid prototyping machine to help students visualize the views of the object that they are drawing. Also, for the past several years, I have worked collaboratively with our calculus students on a water goblet project. The students are responsible to come up with the design of a water goblet, and plot out the profile shape using calculus equations. The design has to meet very strict specifications on the amount of material that can be used, and the volume of liquid that it holds. Once the students have satisfied those requirements, they come to the CAD lab, and I help them apply those equations to our parametric modeling software (Pro|ENGINEER), and we send the 3D file to be created on the rapid prototyping machine. It is always very rewarding to hear student reactions when they are able to hold the tangible product. Furthermore, they are able to use the product to physically analyze the volume and mass.
Another topic from the chapter that I found interesting was the topic of globalization. I found myself reflecting about the nature of technical drawing. One of the things that I begin the year teaching my students about is the fact that technical drawings are required to be universal, meaning that they can be interpreted globally without experiencing any loss of information or meaning. There are many standards and specifications that are applied to technical drawings to ensure that they can be translated in any country. I suppose that the book would refer to that as internationalization. I suppose after further reflection, that there are items included in the drawing, specifically the title block that could be misinterpreted, such as the date. To that end, I might do further research in order to inform my students of those opportunities for misinterpretation. I try to help my students become aware of the global aspect of drafting-related professions, because many firms (like Stryker or Eaton) operate globally.
I like the use of analogies. That to came to my mind when reading the chapter (unfortunately I do not have the budget to get a 3D printer or prototyping machine). I use Solidworks and have not used Pro|ENGINEER. Have you used Solidworks? I have used CATIA and Inventor and like Solidworks the most.
ReplyDeleteI too stress to my students that their are standards in technical drawings and relate it to the cheap furniture instructions and how they are different and are interpreted differently (sometimes even noncomprehendable). I can see the difficult task in creating training or learning programs because in Technical drawing, numbers are a universal language and 90% of drawings are numbers. I can see your point on the title block since most of that is letters. Even title blocks can be hard to understand since most companies use their own instead of a standard block.
It is cool that you have direct experience with prototyping and were able to draw from that in the reading. That section interested me and I saw it as being usefully applied to the education area, but I could not personally think of a way that it could be directly applied to my subject area--English. What an awesome way to prepare your students for the real world, especially those who will go into the field of drafting. They will likely be very well prepared and comfortable in their field.
ReplyDeleteWhen discussing globalization, you mentioned that Stryker and Eaton operate globally. Have you ever thought about (or had) a representative from one of those companies come in to talk with your classes and discuss the gloabalization issue and what they do to make sure that their work translates/transfers to all countries involved? It may be a great addition to what you already discuss with students and ways that you prepare them for the globalization issue.
The day when the students get to hold their goblets sounds so great. That must be wonderful to have the technology to provide that experience for them.
ReplyDeleteI didn't take any drafting classes in school so I know only what you've posted on your blog. It's so nice to hear what students are creating and are able to do. It got me thinking about sharing these projects with the rest of the school. I think that it would be great for students to know what others are learning, making, doing. I hope there is a display case or other way for your students to present their work to the rest of the building!
I don't have much experience or knowledge in what you teach but it sounds so interesting to me. The water goblet project sounds like something that kids can really sink their teeth into.
ReplyDeleteI thoughts on globalization and making your drawings universal seems like it could be a task in itself. I know that it can be hard for kids to realize that there is a whole other world out there. Once you can get them thinking about more then themselves, their school, or their city great things can happen.