Journal for Geometry and Graphics 10 (2006), No. 2, 215--226
Copyright Heldermann Verlag 2006
A Study of the Use of Drawings to Explain Technical Information Among Young Adults
Theodore J. Branoff
Dept. of Mathematics, North Carolina State University, Box 7801, Raleigh, NC 27695-7801, U.S.A.
ted_branoff@ncsu.edu
Aaron C. Clark
Dept. of Mathematics, North Carolina State University, Box 7801, Raleigh, NC 27695-7801, U.S.A.
aaron_clark@ncsu.edu
William J. Haynie
Dept. of Mathematics, North Carolina State University, Box 7801, Raleigh, NC 27695-7801, U.S.A.
jim_haynie@ncsu.edu
Do young adults choose to use drawings and sketches when attempting to explain technical information if not specifically prompted to do so? Engineers and technicians frequently use technical drawings and sketches to communicate. Is this a learned behavior or do people choose this form of communication without specific instruction to do so? Does completion of a graphics or drafting course improve the quality of sketches drawn while explaining technical information when the subject produces the sketches in a non-class environment without prompting to adhere to accepted graphics/drafting standards? The quasi-experimental study reported here sought answers to these questions.
Keywords: Technical drawings, sketches, engineering graphics education, problem solving, technology education, technical communication.
MSC: 51N05
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