Demonstrates one method for finding parallel tangents to a cylinder based on geometric properties of the three dimensional representation of the cylinders. Uses rotational transformations to obtain a three dimensional view. Provides a starting point for those studying geometric methods as a lead into computer assisted drafting. (CW)

A software tool called 3D-LAB has been developed for learning and teaching three-dimensional geometry. With this microworld, educators and students can display three dimensional solid objects, rotate them, modify them, open them up, draw points and segments, and measure lengths, areas, volumes, and angles. The major characteristics of this tool…

North Seattle Community College decided to integrate computer-aided design/drafting (CAD/D) into its Electro-Mechanical Drafting Program. This choice necessitated a redefinition of the program through new curriculum and course development. To initiate the project, a new industrial advisory council was formed. Major electronic and recruiting firms…

Argues for a legitimate role of manually expressed engineering graphics within engineering education as a needed support for computer-assisted drafting work. Discusses what and how students should learn as well as trends in engineering graphics education. Compares and contrasts manual and computer drafting methods. (CW)

Secondary vocational-technical education programs in Mississippi are faced with many challenges resulting from sweeping educational reforms at the national and state levels. Schools and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for providing true learning activities to every student in the classroom. This accountability is measured through…

Contrasts the role of scientific diagrams in school classrooms with their role in the world of practicing scientists. Uses the role differences as a source for a new approach. Describes some practical strategies for classroom implementation. (Author/YP)

Discusses coordinate systems, units of measure, scaling and levels as they relate to a database generated by a computer in a spatial rather than planer location. Describes geometric-oriented input, direct coordinates, transformations, annotation, editing and patterns. Stresses that hand drafting emulation is a short-sighted approach to…

One-third of the report explains the nature of the project, its development, administration, and the details of the individualized instruction system. The project goal of developing an individualized cluster curriculum in occupational education is described. The five phases of planning, development, pilot testing, revision, and dissemination which…

Describes a popular seventh-grade mathematics project that involves house plans. Students choose house plans from books, transfer the plan to grid paper, and stake out the floor plan on a vacant area of the neighborhood. Project includes designing dream homes, researching jobs to afford their homes, and discussion of real-life concerns. (PVD)

This article tells the vocational education success story of the Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SCROC). The success of the program results in part from the fact that it is not a high school in itself, but a program that brings together youth from various locales and mixes them with adults taken from the working population in the…

Intended for use in competency-based and criterion-referenced vocational programs, this articulated, performance-based instruction objectives guide for Drafting I is designed for reference use in the articulation of drafting programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels. It consists of a description of the development of the guide, 14…

Pima Community College produced self-paced individualized mediated drafting instruction to meet the needs of students with different skills, abilities, motivation, and experience. Areas of instructional information for skills of an introductory nature were divided into 13 units of instruction. These units were divided into areas of…

The objective of this project was to develop computer literacy and a working knowledge of microprocessor applications and digital circuits for teachers in selected vocational subject areas. Twenty-four vocational trade and industry teachers completed 16 hours of training in microprocessor skills for computerized instruction and curriculum update.…

The first section of the manual on secondary level industrial arts goal and competencies concerns the ALIVE (Allied Learning Vocational Exploration) Program, a student-managed, individualized learning program involving art, home economics, and industrial arts in a team instruction approach. It provides goals, competencies, and performance…

Individualized, competency-based curriculum materials were developed for a course on Principles of Technology, Units 1-6. New and updated curriculum materials in Drafting and Electronics and the Principles of Technology units were pilot tested in area vocational center settings in Illinois. A computer maintenance program was also developed but not…