Abstract
Use of computer–aided design (CAD) in higher education is increasingly prevalent because of innovations in hardware and software, lower prices for educational institutions, and improved technical support. Little research has been done on a national level to ascertain the amount of CAD instruction offered at institutions that teach interior design. This article reports a 1990 survey of the IDEC membership to determine the number of interior design programs that have incorporated CAD into their curricula, where and when the instruction occurred, who offered it, and how much time was devoted to teaching it during the term or semester. Frequency and percentage distributions were calculated using statistical analysis software.
Of the 153 programs responding nationwide, 89 percent (136 schools) have incorporated CAD instruction. This percentage is higher than found in the few previous studies, indicating that the process of adapting CAD as a tool in the design education field is escalating.
The survey helps identify challenges associated with ensuring optimal integration of CAD systems in the face of ongoing hardware and software innovations.
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