Abstract
Abstract. This paper presents a virtual methodology based on the generation of virtual models of stones in the context of the virtual laboratories for the acquisition and evaluation of competences in stones identification. The generation of the models is carried out using a procedure based on close-range photogrammetry that allows to obtain a scaled mesh models with radiometric information and low file weight. The proposed methodology has been designed ad-hoc following the economy, quality and reality criteria to ensure a good adequacy, guaranteeing an adequate adaptation to the teaching-learning process and the integration of the models into working packages, which can be easily integrated in earning management system (LMS) platforms. The generated 3D models have a high level of detail and enable the interaction to take measurements, make cross sections and use specific tools that allow the student to perform a thorough analysis and identification of the stone using free/open source software.
Highlights
The information and telecommunication technologies and protocols developed during the recent years have had an important impact on the educational paradigm, resulting in substantial improvements in terms of flexibility, interactivity and communication
The models of the virtual stone generated have a high quality, so they can be used in learning tasks if the methodology is carefully designed following three important criteria
The technical pipeline proposed allows the systematic reconstruction of meshed models with radiometric information from single RGB images taken around the stone using a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera
Summary
The information and telecommunication technologies and protocols developed during the recent years have had an important impact on the educational paradigm, resulting in substantial improvements in terms of flexibility, interactivity and communication. The paradigm of the European Higher Education area has two critical aspects: the acquisition of competences, and the student-centred teaching (Huber, 2008). Acquisition of competences in visual identification of stones is an important objective of different higher education programs related with architecture, geological sciences and engineering. Virtual environments The virtual laboratories (VLs) have many advantages: on the one hand they allow to reduce the problems related to the excess of students in the laboratories if a large number of students are enrolled or if they are using specific instruments, tools or machines, especially in the cases of highly specialized technological courses (Vergara et al, 2018). In the context of laboratory activities, some specific details about the working methodology, even operations involving the use of specialized equipment cannot be adequately appreciated by the students, even more in the case of overcrowded classrooms
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