Using a problem-solving heuristic to teach engineering graphics

Students often experience difficulties in developing an adequate understanding of how to solve engineering graphics problems using traditional teaching methods. Application of an explicit problem-solving technique to graphics problems can help students to understand the solution strategy. This method reinforces the details of the process, enabling students to apply the same techniques to more complicated problems. The problem-solving heuristic involves devising and evaluating a solution plan before it is implemented. Without such a solution plan, students are more likely to rush into an ill-conceived solution design without any meaningful preliminary thought. By considering a detailed solution plan for even simple problems, students should gain an in-depth understanding of the class material. This paper presents and discusses the implementation of a problem-solving approach to engineering graphics, which can be applied to both drafting and computer-aided design (CAD) exercises. Preliminary results indicate that students' skills at solving engineering graphics problems improve as a result of implementing a structured approach towards developing a solution plan.