1. CTC/MTC 101: Tools Problem Solving Skills Communication Teamwork
Organization
Software

2. Objectives Apply problem problem solving skills
Ability to communicate effectively
Know what a team is
Know how to function effectively on teams
Coordination skills
Software available on campus

3. Problem Solving Skills
Read problem carefully
Rewrite problem statement
Drawing and diagrams (FBD)
Show work
Assumptions
Equations
All calculations (units/significant digits)
Underline or box in final answer
Engineering graph paper/pencil/neat

5. Common Errors Problem statements not included Diagrams not included
Units are incorrect
Radius/Diameter
Name
Sloppiness
“Shotgun” approach
Graphs (labels/titles/units/missing, “line” instead of “x-y scatter”)

6. Oral Presentations Plan Organize Practice Develop objectives
Analyze the audience
Organize
Main ideas and sub-ideas
Handouts and visual aids
Beginning, details, conclusion
Practice

7. Oral presentations Avoid Blocking visual aids
Spelling errors on visual aids
Using filler words
Apologizing
Belittling your audience or putting them “on the spot”
Speaking to your visuals

8. Written Communications
Treat as a legal document
Separate business and personal
Letters
Reports
Should be complete, detailed and accurate

9. Written Communication Common Errors
Grammar
Too many pictures
Page numbers missing
Awkward phrasing
References missing or incorrect formatting
Table of Contents Missing

10. Team A group of people who: Have a common purpose
Have division of labor
Work together to accomplish a goal

11. Team Hints Communicate, communicate, communicate
Use individual strengths to overcome individual weaknesses
Use the power of diversity to catch major mistakes
It is “fun” when you work on a productive team

12. Meetings Agenda with approximate times for each item
Members feel safe in speaking
Members support one another
Members are eager to participate
All members are encouraged to speak up
Members cooperate as a team (no personal agendas)
The team makes decisions through consensus

13. Organization Skills for the Classroom
Show up on time
Attend classes
Show enthusiasm
Assignments turned in on time
All work neat
Inform instructor beforehand of missed class, etc.
Do your “homework” before asking for help
Appropriate use of Technology
Pride in your work

14. Specialized Software-Civil
Microstation (CTC 112) & Inroads(CTC 440)
Autocad (CTC 162/250)
RAM steel analysis
Flowmaster (CTC 260/261/450)
Sewercad/Watercad/Stormcad (CTC 450)

15. Specialized Software-Mech.
AutoCAD - MTC 162, MTC 363
Creo Parametric, solid modelling - MTC 388
Solidworks, solid modelling - MTC 240
LabVIEW, mechanical measurements - MTC 198 & 398
AutoDesk Simulation, Finite Element Analysis - MTC 476

16. Software Sources
Specialized Labs (Donovan G1159 and G143/Kunsela B232). There are a few “engineering” computers in the library and in the room across from public safety
Citrix
Student Software Versions
Computer Science Software

17. Poster (midterm project)
References: From Librarian Ron Foster: How to Make a Poster

18. Poster (midterm project)
Break into teams of 2 or 3
Brainstorm a technical topic (mechanical or civil)
Research how to develop an effective poster
Bring posters on October 2nd for show-n-tell.

19. Homework-Due Sept 25th, 2018
Use autocad or microstation to reproduce the drawing found on my homepage:
(note: Print the drawing at a scale of 1” (of paper) = 2 units)
Solve the following problem using engineering graph paper.

20. Homework Checklist----quality counts!
Drawing:
Drawing plotted to scale (1”=2 units)
Significant digits
Border
Weight (object and border heavier weight; dimensions lighter)
Include Notes and Start Point
Dimensions clean (no overlap)
Homework
Use engineering graph paper
Include 2 drawings (use a straight edge)
Vectors shown correctly
Significant Digits
Portrait, not landscape
Upper-right corner filled out (name/course, etc)
Underline or box in final answers