In this study, 3D-image based course material has been suggested as a potential pedagogical tool for laboratory courses for aviational maintenance in vocational high schools. With a special focus on assembly/disassembly of the combustion chamber, 3D contents described here are created by Soildworks 2014 based on the textbook widely used in aviational high schools. By analyzing several textbooks currently adopted at various schools, we have clearly shown that the current text-based teaching method is far from being effective regarding providing adequate learning environment for high school students who study aviational maintenance.
From the analysis of the conventional textbooks, it is seen that it is urgent that we should come up with more effective and efficient way of teaching methods for these topics at vocational high schools. Using Solidworks, we have developed very vivid 3D image-based course material for topics related to a combustion chamber in the airplane. Newly developed 3D material is seen to clearly show step by step procedures of assembly and disassembly of the combustion chamber which has crucial importance in the aviational laboratory courses. Especially the transparent feature in Solidworks could make it possible to observe the parts covered by outer casing, which can not be seen even in any laboratory class with real objects. 3D animated views could provided unprecedented learning environment for students to acquire core knowledge with ease for the maintenance of a combustion chamber. In order to provide easy access for students to this 3D-based course material, the exclusive viewer is also developed using MS office powerpoint 2007. An example of a learning plan using 3d course material is suggested as well.
In order to find out the effects of 3D teaching material on the achievement level, an experiment was carried out for two groups in G aviational high school in Korea. Evaluation test after the class was analyzed by independent T verification. The experimental group showed much higher average score of 91.60 compared with 78.96 of the control group with a significance level of .001. The statistical results revealed that 3D teaching material has contributed to enhancing achievement level on assembly/disassembly of an combustion chamber in gas turbine system.
Based on the results described in this study, it is suggested that 3D teaching material could be very effective pedagogical tool for aviational maintenance courses which require intensive training including assembly/disassembly of major parts for solid understanding of aircraft, hydraulics, fuel system. It is also seen that 3D image based teaching method could be very effective for various NCS courses such as machinery, vessels, and vehicles where field-oriented training is crucial.