To provide students with opportunities to acquire knowledge and to develop skills in drafting. Manual drafting can be used to develop basic skills where computer-aided design (CAD) hardware and software is currently not available.

Awareness: To develop an appreciation for drafting and the numerous trades where it can be used.

Technological Advances: To obtain a working knowledge in the fundamental principles of CAD and/or manual drafting.

Communication: To communicate effectively in a non-traditional classroom environment.

Independent Learning: To develop independent work practices.

Accountability: To instill a sense of pride and responsibility for one’s work.

Career Development: To make informed career decisions based on experiences.

Technical drawings are essential to constructing everything in society from the house one lives in to the computer on a desk. These drawings, created by a draftsperson, must be understood by hundreds of other people in our society. The renewed Drafting curriculum is designed to promote understanding and application of the graphical language used in technical drawings. Drafting will provide a foundation for future employment or post-secondary education in many fields.

Foundational objectives are the major, general statements that guide what each student is expected to achieve for the modules of the PAA curriculum guides. Foundational objectives indicate the most important knowledge, skills, attitudes/values, and abilities for a student to learn in a subject. Both the Foundational Objectives for Drafting and Computer-Aided Design and the Common Essential Learnings (CELs) Foundational Objectives to be emphasized are stated in this document. Some of these statements may be repeated or enhanced in different modules for emphasis. The Foundational Objectives of the Core Modules of the Drafting and Computer-Aided Design curriculum include:

• To understand the use of the different tools used in drafting.
• To learn the basic functions of Computer-Aided Drafting software.
• To use the basic manual tools traditionally used in production drawings.
• To maintain a high standard of quality for drawings produced.
• To appreciate the concept of scale and proportion.
• To manually sketch drawings of manufactured forms.
• To be able to use and understand the terminology related to drafting.
• To understand the representation of three-dimensional objects presented on a two-dimensional plane.
• To be able to describe size on a multi-view drawing.
• To be able to describe shape in a multi-view drawing.
• To be able to produce drawings for architectural projects.
• To understand the use and location of materials used in the construction of a typical house.
• To be able to produce simple working drawings for mechanical projects.
• To become aware of the career opportunities that exist in the field of drafting.
• To create drawings of basic objects in a three dimensional (3D) environment.

Common Essential Learnings Foundational Objectives will be specified also.

The new drafting curriculum is intended to be used by schools who are in transition from using manual drafting and by schools who use computer-assisted drafting (CAD). It should be recognized that manual drafting is rarely a skill employers are looking for in today’s job market and that all efforts should be made to modernize equipment and practices in the classroom.

The Introductory level modules are developed for students who have no previous drafting experience whether manual or CAD. Some of these will be recommended for the Middle Level.

The intermediate and advanced modules build on competencies developed at the introductory level and introduce architectural and mechanical drawing fundamentals.

The Optional Work Study module is 25-50 hours.