Mediating Cognitive Transformation with VR 3D Sketching during Conceptual Architectural Design Process

Communications for information synchronization during the conceptual design phase require designers to employ more intuitive digital design tools. This paper presents findings of a feasibility study for using VR 3D sketching interface in order to replace current non-intuitive CAD tools. We used a sequential mixed method research methodology including a qualitative case study and a cognitive-based quantitative protocol analysis experiment. Foremost, the case study research was conducted in order to understand how novice designers make intuitive decisions. The case study documented the failure of conventional sketching methods in articulating complicated design ideas and shortcomings of current CAD tools in intuitive ideation. The case study’s findings then became the theoretical foundations for testing the feasibility of using VR 3D sketching interface during design. The latter phase of study evaluated the designers’ spatial cognition and collaboration at six different levels: “physical-actions”, “perceptualac ons”, “functional-actions”, “conceptual-actions”, “cognitive synchronizations”, and “gestures”. The results and confirmed hypotheses showed that the utilized tangible 3D sketching interface improved novice designers’ cognitive and collaborative design activities. In summary this paper presents the influences of current external representation tools on designers’ cognition and collaboration as well as providing the necessary theoretical foundations for implementing VR 3D sketching interface. It contributes towards transforming conceptual architectural design phase from analogue to digital by proposing a new VR design interface. The paper proposes this transformation to fill in the existing gap between analogue conceptual architectural design process and remaining digital engineering parts of building design process hence expediting digital design process

The Impact of Design-Based Modeling Instruction on Seventh Graders\u27 Spatial Abilities and Model-Based Argumentation

Due to the call of current science education reform for the integration of engineering practices within science classrooms, design-based instruction is receiving much attention in science education literature. Although some aspect of modeling is often included in well-known design-based instructional methods, it is not always a primary focus. The purpose of this study was to better understand how design-based instruction with an emphasis on scientific modeling might impact students\u27 spatial abilities and their model-based argumentation abilities. In the following mixed-method multiple case study, seven seventh grade students attending a secular private school in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States underwent an instructional intervention involving design-based instruction, modeling and argumentation. Through the course of a lesson involving students in exploring the interrelatedness of the environment and an animal\u27s form and function, students created and used multiple forms of expressed models to assist them in model-based scientific argument. Pre/post data were collected through the use of The Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Rotation, the Mental Rotation Test and interviews. Other data included a spatial activities survey, student artifacts in the form of models, notes, exit tickets, and video recordings of students throughout the intervention. Spatial abilities tests were analyzed using descriptive statistics while students\u27 arguments were analyzed using the Instrument for the Analysis of Scientific Curricular Arguments and a behavior protocol. Models were analyzed using content analysis and interviews and all other data were coded and analyzed for emergent themes. Findings in the area of spatial abilities included increases in spatial reasoning for six out of seven participants, and an immense difference in the spatial challenges encountered by students when using CAD software instead of paper drawings to create models. Students perceived 3D printed models to better assist them in scientific argumentation over paper drawing models. In fact, when given a choice, students rarely used paper drawing to assist in argument. There was also a difference in model utility between the two different model types. Participants explicitly used 3D printed models to complete gestural modeling, while participants rarely looked at 2D models when involved in gestural modeling. This study\u27s findings added to current theory dealing with the varied spatial challenges involved in different modes of expressed models. This study found that depth, symmetry and the manipulation of perspectives are typically spatial challenges students will attend to using CAD while they will typically ignore them when drawing using paper and pencil. This study also revealed a major difference in model-based argument in a design-based instruction context as opposed to model-based argument in a typical science classroom context. In the context of design-based instruction, data revealed that design process is an important part of model-based argument. Due to the importance of design process in model-based argumentation in this context, trusted methods of argument analysis, like the coding system of the IASCA, was found lacking in many respects. Limitations and recommendations for further research were also presented

Developing experimental learning in a graphical course using Thurstone's Law of comparative judgment

In this paper, one innovative educational experiment to help student obtain a better way to learn spatial vision in graphical course was carried out. After implementation of the improvements into a graphical engineering course, an evaluation study, through surveys, was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of this visual experiment. This empirical study provided one hundred and sixty four andalusian freshmen three types of visualization (2D static depictions, 3D computer depictions and an augmented reality environment that allows multiple participants to interact with 2D and 3D data) required to improve their skills related to spatial vision. According to results, most students showed positive attitudes toward this practice. In addition, students perceived positive impacts of this effort on their learning experience. The responses to surveys illustrated that students prefer 3D traditional learning, however they think augmented reality learning is no useful for better visual understanding of different objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

Spatial visualization learning in engineering: traditional methods vs. a web-based tool

This study compares an interactive learning manager for graphic engineering to develop spatial vision (ILMAGE_SV) to traditional methods. ILMAGE_SV is an asynchronous web-based learning tool that allows the manipulation of objects with a 3D viewer, self-evaluation, and continuous assessment. In addition, student learning may be monitored, which saves a significant amount of time for the teacher, as both correction and grading are automatically performed. Our aim in this study is to establish whether the application is an effective tool for learning spatial visualization. Students of engineering graphics following an industrial engineering degree course at the University of Burgos (Spain) participated in a pilot project over two academic years. The students were separated into two groups: an experimental group that studied with the ILMAGE_SV web application and a control group taught with traditional methods. Our study demonstrates that the results of both methods, with regard to the development of spatial vision, are in general equal. Nevertheless, ILMAGE_SV is more efficient for students who experience greater difficulties with spatial vision and for students with no prior knowledge of technical drawing

Perception of space through representation media: a comparison between 2D representation techniques and 3D virtual environments

Thesis (Master)--İzmir Institute of Technology, Architecture, İzmir, 2005Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 109-113)Text in English; Abstract: Turkish and Englishxii, 122 leavesFor centuries, 2D drawing techniques such as plans, sections and elevations have been the main communication media for the profession of architecture. Addition to these techniques, for two decades, computer based representation techniques and 3D virtual environments (VE) have also entered to the profession of architecture. Effects of these computer based techniques on perception of space have always been interrogated by several researches.Although these researches generally regarded these computerized techniques as better and proper than conventional techniques, in some cases conventional techniques can be more effective to depict architectural space. Main aim of this thesis is to compare and evaluate the positive effects and shortcomings of 3D virtual environments and 2D conventional representation techniques in the context of perception of architectural space. Parallel to this objective, the thesis also aims to show the differentiation in perception of space with the change of representation media. To show these differences, a comparative method is used. As the main step of the application of this method, an experimental case study and survey has been constituted for comparing 2D conventional techniques and 3D computer based techniques. In this survey, 38 first yearstudents from Izmir Institute of technology have taken place as test subject.According to the results of this comparative case study, contributions and shortcomings of 2D conventional representation techniques and 3D computer based techniques on improving the capability of architects on perception of the space have been determined