TEACHING AND LEARNING CONSTRUCTION BY ANIMATION OF VIRTUAL MODELS

Traditionally, teaching in the field of architectural constructions at Schools of Architecture and Technical Architecture, was based on the performance, in construction lessons, of systems details, such as: facades, roofs, floors, etc., which were made by hand or by computer (Autocad). The daily experience shows the inconsistency of this methodology which consists on explaining the 2D dimensional reality, in order to make students understand what happens in deep in the missing dimension. In addition, this learning occurs in the early years of the degree. Then, students are not able to improve by themselves. We therefore consider that we, as teachers, have the responsibility to change this methodology, teaching architectural construction in three dimensions, to pass then, when the student is ready for it, to the 2D representation. The display of each part and the ability to compose building systems, it helps students to think in 3D and They can understand properly a constructive detail represented in 2D.

For that, we have designed virtual models of different construction systems: foundations, structure, floors, etc, which have been designed using Sketchup program, because it is an useful and intuitive tool. The goal is not making hyperrealistic models regarding to the materiality of the elements, but that all the elements of each system are perfectly represented, how they work and to make the understood and the process sequence implementation easier. With the help of Camtasia program, we have made videos of each building system which are presented each element separately and are placed in the correct position within the set. The program combines virtual models and real images, explanatory texts, etc. In this same material has been added audio recording for creating video tutorials which are available to students.

The results obtained in the practice after the application of this new teaching methodology have been extremely successful, facilitating student learning and their comprehension of the presented construction systems, especially in the first year of the degrees, Architecture and Technical Architecture. In turn, It has led the creation of a great educational tool, which can be used and disseminated by other schools, promoting collaboration between them and the exchange of knowledge and teaching methodologies confirmed by the results.