A Comparison of Instructional Methods on Computer-Aid Design used in China and United States Universities

Computer-aid engineering design is a compulsory course for undergraduate students majoring in Agricultural Engineering both in China and the USA. In order to find the suitable methods to improve the engineering course in China under the rapid development of the high technology a systematic comparison of course objectives, contents, teaching method, facilities and environments offered by a Chinese university and a US university are made. A questionnaire including the interests of the students, the difficulties in the course, the usefulness of the knowledge, the teaching methods, etc. was designed to collect information in both universities in fall semester 2011. The collected information was then summarized and analyzed. Overall, significant differences were found in the teaching approaches for the two universities. In China, more practical projects should be emphasized to improve the understanding of the knowledge and stimulate the interests of learning.