The use of computers as a teaching aid in technical design lessons

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to develop and test a multimedia package, which would serve as an aid to the teaching and learning of Technical Design at Secondary Level. The subject teachers' perception of Computer Aided Learning packages has been researched through the use of a questionnaire. Thus, the validity of producing a multimedia package was put into question. The authors went through the technical and educational process of developing a multimedia package. The software developed, feature one topic (orthographic) and accommodates for others which are still to be developed. The authors geared their efforts to help the students enhance their visualisation skills. Having the finished product, the pupils' achievement was evaluated. Since the software includes only one topic, these results cannot be generalised to the whole subject. The package was tested in two different settings, the classroom and the private home. The results were both similar and positive. Various improvements and further study has been suggested.