On the increasing role of the digital 3D model in project activity and geometric-graphical education

Abstract

Currently, model of the design and engineering activity is undergoing significant changes in the direction of digital support. This shift is caused by scientific, technical, and technological challenges that arose due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (or Industry 4.0) and the digital economy. It is necessary to radically reform the traditional approaches to training in national engineering education. This objective can be achieved by employing methods that meet modern technological requirements among which 3D modelling ranks high. Geometric-graphical training is the first academic discipline in the professional orientation of students of technical specialities. To comply with the modern requirements for convergence of educational and professional activity structures, the paradigm of innovative graphical education should be based on an electronic 3D model.The article presents data on the digitalization of educational activity taking place in several Russian universities and on the influence of three-dimensional modeling technologies on the formation of special “engineering” thinking in students. The study highlights the specific features that distinguish the thinking of a design engineer who only works with technical drawings from the thinking of a design engineer using 3D modeling.The authors emphasize the necessity to digitize geometric-graphical education as it ensures the adaptation of the subject competencies acquired by students to future professional activity as early as at the initial stage on engineering training. Additionally, the article considers the functions of digital 3D model in the educational environment and demonstrates a correlation between the phased introduction of 3D technologies and the increase in the efficiency of the of the student learning process. Students master digital modeling on the basis of the project approach when solving engineering design tasks of growing complexity. The article provides examples of individual project tasks fulfilled while studying the modules of the discipline as well as educational specialized projects completed at the final stage of training.It is concluded that the practice-oriented 3D modeling facilitates the development of special skills and habits. They differ from traditional ones and form the basis of creative engineering thinking. The results of the study confirm the hypothesis that the 3D modeling method has the potential to develop the cognitive activity of the “engineer of the future”.