Reusable learning objects: a blended learning tool in teaching computer-aided design to engineering undergraduates

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1559-1575
Author(s):  
George Onofrei ◽  
Paul Ferry

PurposeBlended learning is an emerging trend across many educational settings, adopting the purposeful integration of traditional face-to-face and online teaching to establishing an engaging learning experience for the students. Blended learning provides an ideal platform for the implementation of reusable learning objects (RLOs) as a pedagogical tool to support classroom instruction.Design/methodology/approachThis study had conducted a quasi-experiment followed by semi-structured interviews to determine if a blended learning approach using RLOs can enhance students’ learning in an undergraduate engineering computer-aided design (CAD) module. This study involved learners studying engineering in two different academic years.FindingsStudents from the first year were taught using traditional face-to-face teaching approach. The cohort of students from the subsequent year adopted a blended learning approach: face to face and access to a series of RLOs. The analysis revealed statistical evidence that the use of blended learning had a significant impact on the students' end of term exam grades in the CAD module in comparison to the students who undertook traditional face-to-face teaching approach. The qualitative findings highlighted the positive impact of RLOs on students’ learning behaviour, engagement and knowledge retention.Originality/valueThis study provided empirical evidence of the benefits of using RLOs as a blended learning tool in engineering domain. From a theoretical perspective, the findings highlighted the importance of good instructional design and sound theoretical underpinning of the pedagogical strategy. From a practical point of view, this study informed academics on how to improve learner's academic achievement using RLOs.

Author(s):  
Victoria Pérez-Belis ◽  
Carmen González-Lluch ◽  
María Josefa Bellés ◽  
Verónica Gracia-Ibáñez ◽  
Margarita Vergara ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 691-705
Author(s):  
Nazanin Ansari ◽  
Sybille Krzywinski

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce a process chain spanning from scanned data to computer-aided engineering and further required simulations up to the subsequent production. This approach has the potential to reduce production costs and accelerate the procedure.Design/methodology/approachA parametric computer-aided design (CAD) model of the flyer wearing a wingsuit is created enabling easy changes in its posture and the wingsuit geometry. The objective is to track the influence of geometry changes in a timely manner for following simulation scenarios.FindingsAt the final stage, the two-dimensional (2D) pattern cuts were derived from the developed three-dimensional (3D) wingsuit, and the results were compared with the conventional ones used in the first stages of the wingsuit development.Originality/valueProposing a virtual development process chain is challenging; apart from the fact that the CAD construction of a wingsuit flyer – in itself posing a complicated task – is required at a very early stage of the procedure.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer C. Raghatate ◽  
Abhaykumar M. Kuthe ◽  
Tushar R. Deshmukh ◽  
Sandeep W. Dahake

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to report the successful treatment modality for patients suffering from arthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) of the foot which otherwise could not be treated through traditional surgeries. Design/methodology/approach – The unique capabilities of the computer-aided design and the rapid prototyping (RP) technology are used to develop the customized MTPJ implant (SamKu). Findings – This approach shows good results in the fabrication of the MTPJ implant. Postoperatively, the patient experienced normalcy in the movement of the MTPJ of the foot. Practical implications – Advanced technologies made it possible to fabricate the customized MTPJ implant (SamKu). The advantage of this approach is that the physical RP model assisted in designing the final metallic implant. It also helped in the surgical planning and the rehearsals. Originality/value – This case report illustrates the benefits of imaging/computer-aided manufacturing/RP to develop the customized implant and serve those patients who could not be treated in the traditional way. This is a pioneered attempt toward implementation of a customized implant for patients suffering from arthritis of the MTPJ.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changhui Song ◽  
Yongqiang Yang ◽  
Yunda Wang ◽  
Jia-kuo Yu ◽  
Di Wang

Purpose This paper aims to achieve rapid design and manufacturing of personalized total knee femoral component. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of a patient’s bone model, a matching personalized knee femoral component was rapidly designed with the help of computer-aided design method, then manufactured directly and rapidly by selective laser melting (SLM). Considered SLM as manufacturing technology, CoCrMo-alloyed powder that meets ASTM F75 standard is made of femoral component under optimal processing parameters. The feasibility of SLM forming through conducting experimental test of mechanical properties, surface roughness, biological corrosion resistance was analyzed. Findings The result showed that the tensile strength, yield strength, hardness and biological corrosion resistance of CoCrMo-alloyed personalized femoral component fulfill knee joint prosthesis standard through post-processing. Originality/value Traditional standardized prosthesis implantation manufacturing approach was changed by computer-aided design and personalized SLM direct manufacturing, and provided a new way for personalized implanted prosthesis to response manufacturing rapidly.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidney Weil ◽  
Tracy-Anne De Silva ◽  
Maurice Ward

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the implementation of a blended learning approach in a Stage 2 management accounting course at a university in New Zealand. The paper reports on student participation and engagement in the course and reflects on students’ learning experiences. The blended learning approach was implemented in response to low student attendance and poor preparation for face-to-face tutorial sessions, along with demand from students to be able to access learning resources off-campus. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from formal course evaluations, the learning management system and a student focus group, with particular emphasis on three of the online activities introduced – lessons, quizzes and chat rooms. Findings – The study finds that while learners value online activities, they are nevertheless still unwilling to forgo the opportunities which face-to-face contact with both peers and faculty members present. This finding provides support for the continuation of a blended learning approach in the course, as well as its implementation in others. Research limitations/implications – This paper has several limitations. These include the small sample size and the absence of reflection on the process and outcome(s) of implementation of the blended learning course by the responsible academic. Furthermore, the paper also did not consider the impact of blended learning on students’ soft, or generic, skills. These are topics for future research. Practical implications – The findings highlight the importance of offering not only a mixture of online activities, but also a blend of face-to-face and online activities. Originality/value – This study focuses on student participation and engagement in a blended learning accounting course.


2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vinodh ◽  
D. Kuttalingam

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate computer‐aided design (CAD) and computer‐aided engineering (CAE) as enablers of agile manufacturing (AM).Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature review, the importance of technology integration enabling AM has been found. CAD technology has been used for modelling baseline product; CAE has been used for deriving optimized parameters; new designs have been derived.FindingsThe feasibility of CAD and CAE as enablers of AM has been ensured.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has been conducted only in one automotive sprocket manufacturing organization.Practical implicationsThe practical feasibility of generating new products through technology integration has been ensured.Originality/valueVery little research has been reported on technology‐integrated AM practices. In this study, CAD and CAE have been used for enabling product development.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haisang Liu ◽  
Gaoming Jiang ◽  
Zhijia Dong ◽  
Fenglin Xia ◽  
Honglian Cong

PurposeThe size prediction of garment is an important part in the process of the garment design and production, and it is also one of the most important features in warp-knitted computer-aided design system. The purpose of this paper is to realize the auto-generation of the garment templates using JavaScript and WebGL technologies, based on the prediction of the size of warp-knitted seamless sportswear.Design/methodology/approachThe warp-knitted jacquard technology is used to produce the warp-knitted seamless sportswear, which is divided into suits and tights. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, the dimensions of four kinds of jacquard patterns knitted under different knitting conditions are measured and the crosswise and longitudinal size shrinkage percentages are also calculated. Then, the relationship between the yarn count and the drawing density as well as the size shrinkage percentage is studied and a size prediction model for warp-knitted jacquard fabric is established. Next, according to the results of the size calculation, the point positions of the garment boundary in the mathematical coordinate system is determined. The color formula is built by the two-dimensional mathematical matrix. Finally, combined with the coordinate position and color information, the template can be drawn automatically.FindingsBased on the size prediction model of warp-knitted garment, the template generation of warp-knitted full-form sportswear on WebGL-enabled web browser is realized, which is proven to be an effective computer-aided design method for warp-knitted garments.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of limited researches, only two groups of yarns and four kinds of jacquard patterns were studied. A vaster database should be built and smooth curve, accurate coordinate needs to be optimized in the further research.Practical implicationsThe size prediction model for warp-knitted jacquard garment and garment template auto-generation of warp-knitted computer-aided design system will simplify the fabric technical design process, shorten design time and improve the efficiency of new product development.Social implicationsThe size prediction model for warp-knitted jacquard garment and garment template auto-generation of warp-knitted computer-aided design system will provide the industries a guidance for new sample development and it also can shorten the development time and lower cost.Originality/valueThis author analyzes the relationship between the size characteristics and knitting technology of warp-knitted jacquard patterns, proposes a model of size prediction and realizes the auto-drawing of the garment template in the warp-knitted CAD system, which provides a reference for the new product design and development of warp-knitted seamless sportswear.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jialu Liang ◽  
Honglian Cong ◽  
Zhe Gao ◽  
Aijun Zhang ◽  
Zhijia Dong

PurposeThe weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric has the characteristics of complicated design principle and hard technical design. The purpose of this paper is to realize the computer-aided design of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric, and provide a certain reference for the development of this type of fabric.Design/methodology/approachThe weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric is divided into weft-knitted two-side similar pattern jacquard fabric and weft-knitted two-side independent pattern jacquard fabric. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, firstly, the structural characteristic of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric is analyzed. Then, the design principle of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric is studied. Next, the technical model of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric is established. Finally, the CAD flow chart of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric is proposed to realize the rapid product development.FindingsBased on the above method, through the development example of weft two-side similar pattern jacquard fabric and weft two-side independent pattern jacquard fabric, the computer-aided design of the weft two-side jacquard fabric is verified.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of limited research studies, three-dimensional computer-aided design of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric loop structure will be studied in the further research, and the technical design speed needs to be improved to meet the needs of large patterns and positioning patterns.Practical implicationsThe computer-aided design of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric will offer a certain reference for product development, technical principles, performance research and computer simulation for the in-depth study of the fabric.Social implicationsThe computer-aided design of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric will simplify the fabric design process and improve the efficiency of new fabric development, and provide the industries a time-saving and cost-saving approach for new fabrics development.Originality/valueThe author analyzes the structural characteristic of the fabric by the physical fabric, summarizes design principle of the fabric through production process, uses mathematical methods to establish a three-dimensional technical model of the fabric, and proposes the CAD flow chart of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric, which has good theoretical significance and practice of weft-knitted two-side jacquard fabric.


2009 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vinodh ◽  
G. Sundararaj ◽  
S.R. Devadasan

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the researches reported in literature on agile manufacturing (AM) and determine the avenues by which agility can be imparted in traditional sectors.Design/methodology/approachAfter reviewing the literature on AM, it has been found that these papers address AM along as many as 12 directions. The findings of this review are used to design a model called total agile design system (TADS).FindingsThe major finding of the exploration reported in this paper is that, the need of the hour is to sensitize the traditional sectors for acquiring design capabilities compatible for imbibing agility in totality.Research limitations/implicationsThe TADS model proposed has been reviewed only by 25 industry captains. However, this may not affect the credibility of this model as it is designed by referring to a large number of researches reported in peer reviewed articles appeared in leading international journals.Practical implicationsAfter designing, TADS was exposed to 25 industry captains. Their feedback was gathered using a questionnaire. The results of analysis of their feedback indicates the practical compatibility of TADS.Originality/valueIt appears that no researcher has identified the different directions in which AM researches have progressed. Moreover, no researcher has contributed a model to adopt computer aided design (CAD)/computer aided manufacturing (CAM) and rapid prototyping (RP) technologies in totality to achieve agility in manufacturing organisations. As this paper has overcome the absence of these kinds of researches, it is original and valuable.


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