Message from the Editor - Inspiration

Abstract

This Engineering Design Graphics Journal issue is the first solely digital edition with our new human computer interface design. Because of the rising costs of printing and the resource stress of today’s economy, the Engineering Design Graphics Division is feeling the pain. We are the oldest division of the American Society of Engineering Education and we hope to be around for many more years. We may look different. We may eventually have a different name, but underneath it all, we are still alive and well. ;-)

In this issue we have three articles on spatial visualization instruction and curriculum and one technical article. The first article “Spatial Ability Improvement and Curriculum Content” by Patrick E. Connolly reviews the foundational history of spatial visualization curriculum research in our Engineering Design Graphics Division. The conference presentation “Advanced Instructions: Facilitation of Individual Learning Processes in Large Groups” by Claus Püetz and Dipl.-Ing. Geesche Intween from Germany receives the Oppenheimer Award. This article focuses on learning processes in spatial-geometric cognition using CAD. The Chair Award goes to Ted Branoff and Eric Wiebe, who offer discussions about the relative advantages and disadvantages of face-to-face, hybrid, and online delivery of a CAD course. Andrew C. Kellie discusses the character and challenges inherent in the graphical portrayal of features in subsurface mapping in his technical article “Subsurface Mapping: A Question of Position and Interpretation.”

In between reading through the proofs of the articles, I am glancing out my kitchen window at the snow on the ground and in the trees. It gives me an opportunity to have a reflective, quiet moment in my busy life. It is in those rare opportunities that I think about the people in my professional life and how my life has changed because of my interactions with them. Both positive and negative experiences in our lives help us grow. I am inspired by the success of others. I learned early on that we are all in this thing called life together.

This morning my thoughts are gravitating to the students in my IDeaLaboratory at Purdue University. My lab partner Nicoletta Adamo-Villani and I have been putting in some long hours with the students working on our computer graphics research and development projects.

I see our students (the “IDeaGurus”) working all hours of the night in the lab trying to meet proposal and funded project deadlines. They put up with our intensity without too much flinching. They understand that failing leads to learning what not to do, so that they do not repeat the same error twice. ;-)  They experience the joy of hard work and the pride and empowerment that comes with taking your own initiative and creatively solving problems. These students will be the future authors of the journal articles, the future leaders of our professional division, and the future leaders of our society.

In spite of the economic mess we have left the next generation in our country, I am optimistic about the future of technology and engineering innovation... because these students are MY inspiration.

-- La Verne Abe Harris, Ph.D.