SDC Publications: AutoCAD 2000 MultiMedia Tutorial

SDC Publications Textbooks for Education

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Examination Copy

Why Use a MultiMedia Textbook?

This textbook is being created for student use in an introductory level AutoCAD course. The goal of the textbook is to introduce students to AutoCAD and to show how it is used as part of the drafting/design process.

Many AutoCAD books are written for commercial users of AutoCAD and are difficult to use in a course setting. For example, reference type books, running 800-1,200 pages, present a wealth of information, but the style of presentation and excessive detail do not match the course goals. Students are unable to get an overview of the product and drafting/design process because they may be lost in a sea of details.

The CD contained in AutoCAD Tutorial - First Level: 2D Fundamentals contains a complete audio/visual review of all the exercises contained in the textbook. This approach offers a number of advantages relative to any other AutoCAD textbook.

1. The CD presents AutoCAD to the student in a non-threatening and controlled environment.

When students are introduced to AutoCAD, it is important that it be done in a way that gives them confidence and generates the expectation that they can run the software successfully. The CD raises confidence levels and builds expectations of success.

2. The CD is a visual tool that helps students to learn a visual software package.

Even the best textbook presents its material in a print format. If the student is unable to readily convert and apply the print style information to the operation of the software package, he or she may experience difficulties in learning the software.

3. Visually oriented students are more receptive to materials presented in an audio/visual format.

Many of today's students have a visual orientation as a result of extensive exposure to television, movies, computers and video games. They often would not pick printed materials as their preferred means of learning.

Our dual presentation of the same material is similar to showing students a movie and then afterwards having them read the novel upon which the movie is based. Students will find reading the novel much easier because they will have a previously viewed image that will readily come to mind as they read.

Any course that includes an introduction to AutoCAD will benefit from the adoption of AutoCAD Tutorial - First Level: 2D Fundamentals in the following ways:


1.		Students can become acquainted with AutoCAD while at home.

		After students view the CD-based lessons at home, they will come to class with a base of knowledge in AutoCAD. CAD lab sessions will be more productive because students will need to ask fewer questions.

2.		The CD will become a resource for students who are having trouble with a particular exercise.

		Students will be able to play the CD at home to strengthen their knowledge in areas in which they are having trouble. Students will be able to use the CD as an alternative to requesting special assistance from the instructor.

3.		Students' reliance on the CAD lab will be reduced, thus relieving crowding in the lab.

		Until now students had to be in the CAD lab in order to become acquainted with AutoCAD and to actually work with the software. Use of the CD will introduce students to AutoCAD, so that time in the CAD lab will be more efficient and productive.