Step away from the CAD station: A hands-on and immersive approach to second year teaching of Mechanical Engineering design

Abstract

Author Summary: The purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology to enhance creativity within the context of learning and teaching in an engineering design module in the College of Engineering at Swansea University. The challenges to introducing creativity into an engineering undergraduate course are explored, with the main intervention—Virtual Reality for concept development—investigated through pre- and post-intervention surveys, student interviews and a focus group. Additional interventions to enhance creativity are discussed and future improvements to module design put forward.