Educators Corner “Bill Casnovsky”
It’s time for another installment of the Educators Corner featuring SolidWorks teachers and educators. Today I’ll be speaking with Bill Casnovsky, a well known SolidWorks User Group leader and SolidWorks World presenter.
Bill on his boat
Richard Hall (RH): Hi Bill. What is your background?
Hello everyone, I’m Bill Casnovsky (BC). I have a BA in Industrial Design from Michigan State University. I currently teach (Adjunct Assistant Professor) at Austin Community College & I’m a lecturer at University of Texas. I am the group leader of the Central Texas SolidWorks User Group in Austin, Texas. We have a meeting coming up on March 19th. If you are in the Austin area and would like to attend, contact me by email at bill@cazdezign.com
RH: Do you have any industry experience? If so what and/or who with?
BC: Yes, many years experience. I had long stint early on working in a Consulting firm. I was a Corporate Designer with Motorola & Lockheed Martin. I am currently doing business as CAZ DEZIGN, where I do Consulting Product Design.
RH: What led you to become a teacher?
BC: I felt like I would like to provide instruction to others based on my many years in the design industry.
RH: Why do you teach CAD with SolidWorks?
BC: SolidWorks offers CAD tools that are powerful and easy to use in CAD and Mechanical Design.
RH: How long have you been teaching?
BC: 4 years
RH: What SolidWorks certifications if any do you currently hold?
BC: No current certs – have taken advanced SolidWorks classes in Modeling/Assemblies and many classes in CAD including GE Calma, CADDAM and Cadkey.
RH: What are your classes (age range and/or skill level)
BC: I have students ranging in age from 19 to 50. Most have no SolidWorks experience.
RH: What is a typical classroom day like for you?
BC: I make lesson plans, lecture in class and work interactively with students working on assignments.
RH: What is your preferred teaching method? What method of teaching SolidWorks have you found to be successful?
BC: My preferred method is to introduce students to SWX tools and then encourage them to work concurrently with me as we go step by step through part, assembly and drawing assignments.
RH: What curriculum and industry standards do you teach?
BC: I designed my own class content and teach my material using ANSI-English & Metric drawing standards.
RH: How do you use the SolidWorks Educator resources and curriculum in teaching your class?
BC: I do not use them.
RH: Do you have any work from the students you are able to and would like to share? (pictures or models)
BC: Sure. I have a special assignment during the semester that permits the student to be very creative. I can share some of those student solutions. (I will post these as Bill sends them to me)
RH: What industry do you teach for or what is the prevalent industry in your area that would eventually hire a SolidWorks trained person?
BC: In my class, I expose the students to product & mechanical designs created via machining, molding & sheet metal. Industries out here use designers in each of those fabrication methods.
RH: What universities or community colleges are nearby that your students would attend and pursue a course of study with SolidWorks application?
BC: Austin Community College & The University of Texas
RH: Have you attended SolidWorks World? If so, what was beneficial from a teaching standpoint?
BC: Yes, I have attended 4 times. I found that meeting/networking with other teachers and attending the technical breakout sessions very beneficial to teaching. Observing good presenters at SolidWorks World really inspires me to try things back in the classroom.
RH: Will your school board or current school be willing to fund a trip for you to SolidWorks World?
BC: Given my adjunct status, I doubt it. However, presenting at the conference is my ticket to getting there.
RH: Knowing that most school systems are in desperate financial situations, do you feel that there will be continued support for teaching SolidWorks and CAD drafting skills? If so, is it short term or long term support?
BC: Austin Community College is celebrating its 35th anniversary, this year. Solidworks has become a core requirement to obtain a degree. Students are also able to pick up classes in AutoCad, AutoCad Inventor & Pro E. This college is fully committed to teaching CAD skills.
RH: How important do you feel that teaching SolidWorks/CAD/drafting skills is for the future of engineering and industry in general?
BC: Absolutely essential! In addition, ACC likes to recruit teaching talent from the industries in the area primarily to insure that the CAD/Drafting skills remain pertinent and relevant.
RH: What are the biggest challenges you face in teaching SolidWorks/drafting?
BC: Each class is unique and filled with students of various skill levels. A big challenge for me is to find the sweet spot, each semester, that keeps the fast learners challenged and the slow learners inspired.
RH: What are some goals for your future and do you always plan on teaching?
BC: I want to continue with my Product Design Consulting business, slowing to part time as I near retirement. I also wish to continue teaching part time so I can help prepare students who will lead our country to new horizons using Engineering and Design.
Bill,
It has been a pleasure speaking to you about this most important of subjects. I look forward to the students results from you class as I’m sure everyone is. Thanks for your time and I hope to see you at a SolidWorks event soon,
Rich
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