Improving Visualization Skills of Engineering Graphics Students Using Simple JavaScript Web Based Games

Abstract

AbstractA number of web‐based games were created using simple JavaScript code to teach visualization skills needed for a course in engineering graphics. The games are part of a comprehensive multimedia instructional CD‐ROM/web page that consists of an integrated web site with links to hours of tutorial movies, lecture presentations of class lectures, and a series of interactive web‐based quizzes. The web‐based games provide an interactive graphics based introduction to engineering graphics and a class design project. In addition, several games are devoted to the development of visualization skills in the areas of multiview drawings and pictorials, auxiliary views, the manipulation of objects and coordinate systems in a 3‐D coordinate space, and dimensioning and tolerancing. The games provide an interactive learning experience for students where tutorial animations specific to the students needs are interjected into the games. The feedback based on student input in the games allows the students to learn and apply new concepts simultaneously. The impact of the game pages on student understanding and the development of visualization skills have been positive as evidenced by improved performance on exams and positive feedback on surveys. The overall effectiveness of the instructional CD has also been positive, and this continues to be used and expanded.