Abstract:

The current framework provided by the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) focuses both on new educational opportunities for the students, and on the use of new technologies with a great visual component. As a result, a need of evolution of university learning techniques has arisen.

The key issue to achieve the needed self-motivation and encouragement of students can be developed by introducing in education curricula the use of adapted computer-aided tools, previously designed and adapted to the level and contents of a particular course, and concurrently minimizing the gap between theoretical lectures and the creative experimental research.

Our proposal of methodology brings closer to the engineering students forefront technical research, adapted in a pedagogical way, by means of 3D-visualization software. The goal of our lecture was to find a vehicle able to catalyse the understanding of complex physics concepts.

We would like to show a collection of 3D simulated experiments for industrial engineering students. In particular, such proposal helped students to easily understand the physical concepts of Fluid Dynamics and to develop a computer experience leading to the design of a model bunker for industrial radiography.

The potential contribution of these 3D technological tools (used in major research) as facilitators of learning was shown. Students assimilated concepts with an extra motivation, while also reducing misconceptions that can arise during pure-theoretical lessons.

Keywords:

3D visualization, engineering.