| This study identified the importance of technical functions that entry-level model makers may presently perform or may perform in the near future for model-making service firms in the United States and whether there is a difference in the functions performed by firms of different size, major specialty area, and availability of rapid prototyping technology. The findings and recommendations generated by this study are beneficial to instructors developing and or reviewing curriculum in model making. The information can serve as a reference for educators who wish to determine the appropriate degree of instructional emphasis to place on specific functions in programs, courses, or lessons. The data from this study should also be useful to personnel responsible for hiring industrial model makers. Performance of specific job functions can be the criteria upon which hiring is based.;A list of 91 technical functions was developed from: (a) a review of current literature in the field, (b) current model making curricula, (c) company publications, (d) position descriptions and, (e) local expert opinion at Bemidji State University. Ten nationally based subject matter experts reviewed the list of technical functions for inclusiveness and the list was edited and included in a survey instrument.;The survey was distributed to a sample of 290 supervisors of model makers and they were asked to rank the level of importance of each function "now" and "five years into the future." The supervisors were also asked to indicate the number of model makers, the firms major specialty area, and the availability of rapid prototyping technology in the firm.;This study found that although the importance of functions is changing over time, all 91 technical functions identified by this study should be considered important to current and future model making practice and should be considered for inclusion in model making curricula. Special attention to function importance by firm size, speciality area and firm availability to rapid prototyping technologies can also be considered. However, to omit functions from model making curriculum because they are rated less than very important or important, may result in less than complete student preparation. |
