CTC/MTC 101: Tools Problem Solving Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Organization

Software

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ObjectivesApply problem problem solving skillsAbility to communicate effectivelyKnow what a team isKnow how to function effectively on teamsCoordination skillsSoftware available on campus

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Problem Solving SkillsRead problem carefullyRewrite problem statementDrawing and diagrams (FBD)Show work

AssumptionsEquationsAll calculations (units/significant digits)

Underline or box in final answerEngineering graph paper/pencil/neat

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Common ErrorsProblem statements not includedDiagrams not includedUnits are incorrectRadius/DiameterNameSloppiness“Shotgun” approachGraphs (labels/titles/units/missing, “line”

instead of “x-y scatter”)

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Oral PresentationsPlan

Develop objectivesAnalyze the audience

OrganizeMain ideas and sub-ideasHandouts and visual aidsBeginning, details, conclusion

Practice

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Oral presentationsAvoid

Blocking visual aidsSpelling errors on visual aidsUsing filler wordsApologizingBelittling your audience or putting them “on

the spot”Speaking to your visuals

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Written CommunicationsE-mail

Treat as a legal documentSeparate business and personal

LettersTreat as a legal document

ReportsShould be complete, detailed and accurate

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Written Communication Common ErrorsGrammar Too many picturesPage numbers missingAwkward phrasingReferences missing or incorrect formattingTable of Contents Missing

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Team A group of people who:

Have a common purposeHave division of laborWork together to accomplish a goal

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Team HintsCommunicate, 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

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MeetingsAgenda with approximate times for each itemMembers feel safe in speakingMembers support one anotherMembers are eager to participateAll members are encouraged to speak upMembers cooperate as a team (no personal

agendas)The team makes decisions through consensus

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Organization Skills for the ClassroomShow up on timeAttend classesShow enthusiasmAssignments turned in on time All work neatInform instructor beforehand of missed class,

etc.Do your “homework” before asking for helpAppropriate use of TechnologyPride in your work

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Specialized Software-Civil

Microstation & Inroads(CTC 440)Autocad (CTC 162)RAM steel analysisFlowmaster (CTC 260/261/450)Sewercad/Watercad/Stormcad (CTC 450)

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Specialized Software-Mech.AutoCAD - I/MTC 162ProEngineer, solid modelling - MTC 388Solidworks, solid modelling - MTC 465LabVIEW, mechanical measurements - MTC

198 & 398Algore Finite Element Analysis - MTC 476FeatureCAM, CNC machining - MTC 442

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Software SourcesSpecialized Labs (G225/225a/1149/G143)CitrixStudent Software VersionsComputer Science Software

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HomeworkUse autocad or microstation to reproduce the

drawing found on my homepage: http://people.sunyit.edu/~barans/civilprogram/example.htm

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