The Development of Expertise in the Use of Constraint-based CAD Tools: Examining Practicing Professionals

Authors

  • Nathan W. Hartman Purdue University

Abstract

This paper presents a portion of a research study which examined practicing engineering graphics professionals to discover their experiences in developing expertise in the use of constraint-based CAD tools. Using methods adapted from phenomenological inquiry and cognitive psychology, five practicing engineering design professionals were assessed in an effort to gauge the experiences that contributed to their development of expertise. Interviews and observations were conducted throughout the fall of 2002 to gather data relevant to the experiences of the participants. The thematic elements distilled from the interview and observation data comprised the initial developmental factors of expertise. The conclusions drawn from this study provide an initial look at the development of expertise in the use of constraint-based CAD tools as affected by social and environmental conditions. These conclusions also suggest specific potential teaching and assessment methodologies.

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Issue

Vol. 68 No. 2 (2004): Spring

Section

Feature Articles

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