Evaluation of the Teaching and Learning of 3-D Computer-Aided Design in the Department of Integrated Rural Art and Industry, Knust
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2018-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
KNUST
Abstract
The Department of Integrated Rural Art and Industry (IRAI) has been ultimately
considered as a distinctive Department, in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science
and Technology, which is purposefully focuses on designing and production of
artefacts. The programme equips students with the needed skills to identify and promote
the indigenous art and craft of the traditional Ghanaian heritage. In this regard, the
Department adopted a Computer- Aided Design (CAD) module in their product design
discipline to equip learners with the relevant practical skills to aid them in the execution
of their works of art with state of the art technologies. It is obvious that the teaching
methods, availability and technical expertise of CAD and digital literacy of students
tend to significantly contribute to the artistic development of students and influence the
designing and execution of artefacts. However, 10 years on after its introduction in the
IRAI curriculum, an official evaluation has not been done to ascertain the effectiveness
and impact on its teaching and learning.
Owing to the aforementioned issues, this study sought to identify and describe the
nature of 3-D CAD subject contents in the IRAI curriculum and to find out the contents
and the existing instructional methods adopted in the teaching of 3-D CAD. Ultimately,
the study evaluated the effectiveness of the application of 3-D CAD in Product
designing by students. The study adopted the qualitative research method using the
Kirkpatrick’s 4 Levels of Instructional Evaluation in order to gain insight into the
teaching and learning of 3-D CAD. 207 fourth year and third year undergraduate
students and 2 lectures were sampled for this study.
Findings revealed that traditional methods of designing and solving problems had made
way for new technologies making students to become more conscious of new aspects
of visual expressions by exploring different software to express their creativity. The
usefulness and relevance of 3D CAD on students’ area of specialization is high,
nevertheless, however, the issue of congestion of the syllabi and the inadequate time
allocated for the course burdens instructors coupled with insufficient teaching and
learning resources. In enhancing students’ designing skills, the module of 3-D CAD
ought to be introduced early simultaneously with other foundational courses in the IRAI
curriculum.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Department of Educational Innovations in Science and
Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in
partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN ART EDUCATION