the web-based learning environment for creative design course

2000 International Conference on Engineering Education

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The Web-Based Learning Environment for

Creative Design Course

S. S. Hsiau, J. C. Wu, T. L. Yeh and S. J. TsaiDepartment of Mechanical Engineering

National Central UniversityChung-Li, Taiwan 32054, R.O.C.


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Technological CreativityThe importance of the technological creativity.Creativity cognition can be trained and

learned.An interdisciplinary research team in NCU

developed to cultivate the technological creativity in engineering students:- A set of learning modules.- A web-based learning environment.


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Objectives Introducing creativity skills. Encourage students to think in depth and bring

in the connotation of technological innovation. Develop students' self-confidence in

implementing their creative ideas.Through the functions of computer and

network, establish a collection of integrative courseware to empower the students with creative design capabilities.


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Structure


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Creative Activity Bulletin BoardThe main interface for all creative activities.Discussing creative design project ideas am

ong students and teachers in multimedia fashion on Web-BBS.

Announcing hot messages and team project status on the big board to inspire intra-team supports and a sense of accomplishments.

Two-way FTP function for communicating ideas via the computer network.


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Hot message announcementTitles Project statusManagers

• Help wanted• Resource acquiring• Demo to come


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Creativity Supporting ToolsMindManager as a PC-Web software in Chi

nese.Sorting and categorization of creative ideas.Orientation of creative brain storming.Supporting tools for creative problem solvin

g process.


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MindManager


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Engineering Courseware of Domain KnowledgeThe creative activity cannot be successful

without domain knowledge at its foundation.Working on their design projects, students

need to integrate their previously learned knowledge while acquiring the new.

Knowledge delivery just-in-time through full text web search.


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Integrated Courses

The Machine Design CoursesThe Electric Circuits and Electronics with

LaboratoryThe Innovative Application of Engineering

SoftwareThe Creative Mechanical Design


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The Machine Design Courses

An integrative course on the basic knowledge of machine parts, mechanism, design process, engineering analysis and engineering synthesis.

Lecture notes, reference materials and quizzes provided on the web.

Data-base of the utilities of physical effects, design tools and design examples provided on the web.


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The Electric Circuits and Electronics with LaboratoryEstablish mechatronic design and implemen

tation capability in ME students.Fundamental, integrative and application ori

ented.Contain pop quizzes, which require trials, o

n-site observations, comparisons and self-examinations.

Action research on teaching performance and learning difficulties.


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The Innovative Application of Engineering Software Integrate fundamental engineering software

into the project design.Apply CPS process in the class: target →

search → check → action, enhancing the creative thinking and problem-solving skills early in the freshman year.

Construct a multimedia learning environment to enhance the teaching and learning effectiveness.


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The Creative Mechanical Design - 1 : Purposes Inspiring creativity.Provide students with an industrial working

environment.- cooperative learning.

Training students to solve open-ended industrial problems.- project-based learning.


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The Creative Mechanical Design - 2 : 1st semester - A

The introduction and incubation of creativity.The process of creative-problem-solving

(CPS).The creativity techniques.The engineering design process. The methodology in engineering invention.


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The Creative Mechanical Design - 3 : 1st semester - BThe creativity contests: Parachute contest Conquering the water (ship design) Vehicle with rubber bands as power.


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The Creative Mechanical Design - 4 : Design ProjectTopic selection.Necessity assessment. Information gathering.Proposal generation.Product drafting, design, and layout.Product pilot-testing.Product fine-tuning.Report and presentation.


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The Creative Mechanical Design - 5 : WWW

Establish excellent on-line cooperative learning environment, to encourage students to discuss their ideas creatively.

Complete multimedia lecture notes with discussions and exercises in and after class.

The procedures of the creative project design.The video records and reports of students’

creativity contests.The video records and reports of students’ final

design projects.


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Search EngineStudents may encounter many difficulties

throughout their design projects- lack of initial stimulation- lack of know-how knowledge

Stimulating ideas and domain knowledge exist in the on-line courseware and in the discussion contents in the creativity activity board.

Students can retrieve relevant information easily using appropriate key words.


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Future WorksFurther development of creative supporting

tools.The web activity recording and analysis

facilities to evaluate individual student's creative problem solving process.

The implementation of network classroom.Further expansion of courseware contents on

domain knowledge.


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Let’s Show!http://lisant.src.ncu.edu.tw/cedesign/

migrating to a linux based versionhttp://creative.me.ncu.edu.tw/

the web-based learning environment for creative design course

Documents

engineering students

engineering synthesis

engineering analysis

creative design capabilities

creative design courses

creative design project

design process

design tools