Spatial perception ability from two-dimensional media

Abstract

Deterioration in the spatial visualization ability of students entering University, being much researched in other countries has also been detected in Serbia. The Department of Architecture entrance exam includes a geometric exercise in spatial forms testing the students' capability to rotate, cut and frame objects drawn in axonometric projections and the design of a free form geometric composition. The results vary from poor solutions deprived of three-dimensionality to extremely rich three-dimensional free forms. Based on numerous pieces of research on the topic, and on the results of both entrance and subjects exams we felt that the traditional course of descriptive geometry had to be reformed. We carefully reviewed all the topics of the existing course by closely analyzing the connections with most other subjects. The reforms are based on the characteristic views as well as characteristic elements of the structure of geometric forms, releasing the course from all unnecessary planimetric constructions and details. Therefore, a successful geometric understanding (from two-dimensional drawing to three-dimensional thinking) of the examined spatial form became possible only on the basis of the minimal information. This paper presents the concept of geometric problems' at the entrance exam and reformed course of geometry and perspective at our Faculty.