The development and assessment of multimedia software for improving 3‐D spatial visualization skills

Abstract

Well-developed 3-D spatial skills are critical to success in a number of scienti®c and technical careers. This is particularly true for engineers who generally communicate by graphical means. In the fall of 1992, Baartmans and Sorby received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a course and the course materials for the improvement of 3-D spatial visualization skills for engineering students. In January of 1998, Sorby and Baartmans along with a third PI, Wysocki, received additional funding from the NSF to develop multimedia software and a workbook for the improvement of 3-D spatial visualization skills for engineering students. The multimedia software has been developed in modular form, and there are nine total modules currently available. This article presents the development of the multimedia software and assessment results from its use in special courses designed to improve spatial skills.ß

A Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-Based Approach to Derivative Map Production and Visualizing Bedrock Topography within the Town of Rutland, Vermont, USA

“…The production gap between time spent in the field and publication of derivative maps will likely drive more geological surveys towards automated production workflows. The task of explaining two-dimensional geologic map products is often complicated by variations in the spatial visualization skills given the diversity in regional planners and town managers [27][28][29]. However, many authors believe it is possible to strengthen and develop facility with spatial visualization, rather than thinking it is a fixed cognitive skill, through increased use of three-dimensional representations [11,14,[29][30][31].…”

“…The task of explaining two-dimensional geologic map products is often complicated by variations in the spatial visualization skills given the diversity in regional planners and town managers [27][28][29]. However, many authors believe it is possible to strengthen and develop facility with spatial visualization, rather than thinking it is a fixed cognitive skill, through increased use of three-dimensional representations [11,14,[29][30][31]. Although the methodology in this paper uses ESRI's ArcScene ® software to render the three-dimensional perspective in Figure 4, numerous other software packages offer similar capability, including open-source options such as Quantum GIS+GRASS using the NVIZ module and gvSIG.…”

Przegląd badań nad związkami zdolności przestrzennych z kompetencjami z nauk ścisłych uczniów i studentów

“…dla zdolności typu wewnętrzno-statycznego; zob. Gerosn, Sorby, Wysocki i Baartmans, 2001). Na podstawie programu opracowanego przez Sorby przeprowadzono badanie weryfikujące jego wpływ na wzrost osiąg-nięć w naukach z obszaru STEM.…”

Developing spatial cognitive skills among middle school students

“…The software and workbook have been rigorously assessed to determine their effectiveness in improving spatial skills and to determine their usability from both a student's and faculty member's perspective. Through this evaluation, the effectiveness of the materials has been demonstrated for the use with firstyear engineering students (Gerson et al 2001). …”