Experiência Inovadora e Contribuições no Ensino de Geometria em uma Ferramenta 3D: um Estudo de Caso na Engenharia

Abstract

Spatial visualization ability is applied in various areas of knowledge and presents itself as a research topic well explored, including the study of issues still under discussion mainly by cognitive psychology. Due to the difficulty of understanding and learning of Descriptive Geometry combined with the lack of development of spatial abilities of most entering students in the engineering courses, we developed an innovative didactic tool (DG@VR), by making use of techniques of Virtual Reality, to support the teaching of the theme. The tool, through its 3D interface, allows the creation of spatial situations by the user providing the visualization of geometry in three dimensions, with depth perception, for the students. The main effects of system usage in traditional classes of Descriptive Geometry indicated that the three groups of students showed improvements in the development of their spatial abilities. However, no statistically significant difference was verified by analysis of the mean gain provided by the different treatments used in the experimental research. In addition to the quantitative evaluation, the research involved the application of a qualitative evaluation, which indicated the tool was better accepted by students, if compared to the conventional methods of teaching.