Factors Forecasting the Effect of Rapid Prototyping Technologies on Engineering Design Education.

<p>This dissertation presents information gathered and analyzed through an electronic internet-based Delphi Survey process. The purpose of this study is to identify a consensus of factors that might forecast the future effects of Rapid Prototyping (RP) technology on engineering design education when used for the purpose of overcoming the limitations of 2D representation of 3D space. The identification of consensus was developed from the collection of opinions from a panel of experts in RP technology.</p><p>Early adopters of emerging technologies can reduce risk through careful research, but decisions must often be made before significant quantitative data are available. Expert subjective judgment may be a valuable source of information for making decisions. RP is just one of the tools used in engineering design education for visualization. This research should help to guide faculty members in making decisions regarding the use of RP technology in the curriculum.</p><p>The one consensus reached by the panel is that 3D CAD will replace 2D CAD as the default modeling tool in most product-design related curricula within 5 years. The general conclusion of the study is that the appropriate use of the technology in the curriculum is largely situational.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Leadership

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Mather, Jeffrey Dale

• curriculum development
• Delphi
• engineering design
• rapid prototyping
• computer aided design
• constructivist
• freeform fabrication
• qualitative
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Education

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/813

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-1970