Effect of video-guided tutorials in a standard curriculum and in a flipped classroom for a 3D-CAD course

Abstract

Computer Aided Design is a 200-level engineering class tailored to introduce students to the fundamental techniques of a CAD software. The original structure of this class included a standard lecture format and assignments consisting of tutorials and exercises. The authors have recognized two main drawbacks of the standard class structure: Firstly, class time is insufficient to cover all the material and for the students to complete assignments with the assistance of the instructor. Secondly, the tutorials are written in a format which may be confusing and difficult to follow. In addition, these tutorials provide an emphasis on the tools to construct the CAD models, while dismissing the model planning stage, which is critical for an engineering design. The authors have attempted to address these drawbacks. Tutorial videos were created to clearly show the model construction process from start to finish. One instructor taught the course in the usual manner but made the tutorial videos available to the students. The second instructor converted the class to a "flipped" or inverted format and also used the tutorial videos. In both cases, access to the tutorial videos has significantly improved the experience of the students in the class. Regarding student performance, the students in the flipped classroom had much greater changes in performance relative to those in the standard classroom.