Web-based learning in the computer-aided design curriculum

• Published in: Journal of computer assisted learning Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 175 - 187
• Main Authors: Sung, W.T., Ou, S.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01-06-2002; Blackwell Science; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Computer Assisted Design; Computer Graphics; Computer Simulation; Computer-aided design; Constructivism; Constructivism (Learning); Curriculum Development; Educational Benefits; Educational Environment; Educational psychology; Educational Research; Engineeing; Engineering Education; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Graphics; Learning Systems; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychopedagogics. Didactics; Teaching Methods; Three Dimensional Aids; Undergraduate; Undergraduate Study; Virtual Reality; Visualization; Web Based Instruction; World-wide web; Human; Constructive theory; University environment; Method; Learning; Educational program; Engineering; Acquisition process; Pedagogy; Virtual reality; World wide web; Computer assisted teaching; Internet
• ISSN: 0266-4909; 1365-2729
• DOI: 10.1046/j.0266-4909.2002.00225.x

This study attempts to apply the principle of constructivism and virtual reality (VR) technologies to computer‐aided design (CAD) curriculum by integrating network, CAD and VR into a web‐based learning environment. Through VR technologies, it is expected that the traditional two‐dimensional (2D) computer graphics course can be expanded into a three‐dimensional (3D) real‐time simulation one. VR technologies provide a novel method to enhance user visualisation of complex three‐dimensional graphics and environments. Experience and environmental interaction allow users more readily to perceive the dimensional interrelations of graphics which are typically portrayed through static multiview or pictorial representations. A web‐based learning system (WebDeGrator) has been developed to simulate a computer graphics learning system for learning. Future developments of the proposed web‐based learning framework are also discussed.