Teaching Graphical Communication to first year engineering students

To enroll for an engineering degree at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), a scholar only needs the following primary subjects, Mathematics, Physical Science and English. The scholar does not need Technical Drawing as a subject. To develop these engineering students into technically aware engineers; to develop their ability to spatially visualize a problem; and to develop their ability to understand technical drawings is one of the major challenges lecturers face in the engineering teaching environment. This paper discusses the use of paper and pencil to teach enhanced spatial visualization. We also discuss the teaching of Graphical Communication to engineering students who enter the course having minimal technical backgrounds and who come from a rapidly changing educational environment.