Influence Of Regular Access To Cad Lecture Rooms On Achievement Of Cad Proficiency Amongst Students In Architecture Schools In Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

The attainment of proficiency in the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology is vital for architecture graduates. This because the use of CAD has become associated with the practice of architecture. This study, a part of a wider research on the implementation of CAD curriculum in architecture departments in Nigerian universities, sought to investigate the influence of regular access to CAD lecture rooms on achievement of CAD proficiency amongst students in architecture schools in southeast Nigeria with a view to developing guidelines for successful implementation of CAD education. Survey research design was employed. Departments of architecture in universities in southeast Nigeria which have been accredited by the National Universities Commission formed the focus of the study. Data was obtained from sources within the study area using questionnaires, personal interviews, physical observation/ enumeration and examination of institutional documents. A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was adopted. The first stage involved random sampling by balloting, of accredited departments.  The second stage involved obtaining respondents’ population from the each sampled school. Spearman Rho correlation analysis tool was used for data. With ρ<0.5, the study found significant correlation between regular access to CAD lecture rooms for students and attained CAD proficiency amongst students. The implications of these findings were that for successful implementation leading to attainment of CAD proficiency to occur evaluation guidelines should include the minimum quantity of access time to CAD rooms for students per week and  number/quality of required equipment for use.