Interview Home | Curriculum Design Suggestions

Curriculum Design Suggestions
Derived from interviews with UGS and Fakespace

1. Teach students to analyze and evaluate complex systems in teams.
2. Use 3-d models to study ergonomics of a product.
3. Teach computer graphics design skills (OpenGL, etc.) They appreciate how VRAC trains their students.
4. At least one CAD course should be required - it prepares students for so many industries.
5. Integrate industry-specific projects in the 3-D modeling classes, invite experts from the industries.
6. Teach industry-specific terminology.
7. Learn API’s only in the context of specific projects. (Professional development in these companies moves more and more towards on-the-job training)
8. Teach, on the one hand, to create components of a larger system, and on the other hand, teach how to effectively integrate these components (work that somebody else has done). Creating large systems made of components is what real manufacturing and programming is all about.
9. Develop understanding of collaborative project design, project management, teamwork, and leadership.
10. Teach project planning – ability to give a good estimate for how long a project will take.
11. Provide maximum hands-on experience with development tools.
12. Teach students how to manufacture products digitally. Modern engineering is the process of creating digital mockups. Modern engineers – digital mechanics – work with digital prototypes rather than physical objects.
13. Teach the ability to understand and use systems that students have not seen before (platforms, OS’s, applications).
14. Help students develop strong communication skills, which are important for successful teamwork and also when dealing with frustrated clients.
15. Give students training in technical writing. Teach them to follow projects through and provide solid documentation.
16. Teach algorithmic thinking.
17. Require at least one course in mathematics of matrices.