Intelligent Embedded Instruction for Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems

User training on computer-aided design (CAD) systems traditionally has been expensive and ineffective. In addition, rapid changes in CAD software demand frequent update instruction to be able to take full advantage of the system's capabilities. As the U.S. army Corps of Engineers begins using CAD technology to an increasing degree, there is a great need for low-cost, effective teaching programs. Embedded instruction programs represent a promising answer to this need. This technology involves the incorporation of tutorial programs directly into the software being taught, with the software used to drive the training session. Such a teaching method allows users to participate in self-paced study on the system they will be using in actual day-to-day operations. The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USE-CERL) has developed and tested an embedded instruction program for teaching CAD. The Program was demonstrated in a field test funded under the Technology Transfer Test Bed program. The field test results indicate that architects and engineers profit from online instruction embedded in the CAD system that they are learning. There is wide variability in the time spent studying the lessons as well as in learning strategies employed by different students. Follow-up questionnaires revealed a preference for this type of instruction over traditional methods.