Spatial Literacy in real and virtual worlds:
We need spatial awareness to navigate the world. We take these skills for granted but we use them all the time. The ability to think in images and with spatial depth gives us the power to visualize, invent and shape our environment. Map making, sports activities, space design from interiors to cities, game design and many other fields of study require the ability to have strong spatial awareness.
In my job, I teach software for 3D space design. I noticed that most students are not comfortable with 3D space on the screen and are even more afraid to describe spaces on paper. Space knowledge can lead to better participation in deciding how we live in society and how to help shape our surroundings. The field of environmental psychology looks at how both the natural and built environment affects human cognition and behavior. Having the skills to design such spaces is empowering and can transform people's cognition of the world.
In my job, I teach software for 3D space design. I noticed that most students are not comfortable with 3D space on the screen and are even more afraid to describe spaces on paper. Space knowledge can lead to better participation in deciding how we live in society and how to help shape our surroundings. The field of environmental psychology looks at how both the natural and built environment affects human cognition and behavior. Having the skills to design such spaces is empowering and can transform people's cognition of the world.
I hope to design a digital environment where I can explain the basics of shape and form -making in mathematical terms then introduce my students to both software and virtual worlds where they can create such basics shapes. I would then show them digital online virtual spaces and have them create 3D models and create these spaces themselves.
I hope we can start to compare how these environments can affect their sense of space. What does it feel like to study in an open classroom or in a classroom with four walls? We can discuss the design of private and public spaces.
While it is possible to create spaces that push the boundaries of reality in art, movies and virtual spaces (as in the movie Inception), we still as viewers are very comfortable in spaces that are realistic.We can differentiate up from down and we expect the lighting in virtual spaces to apply shadows exactly as we know in our world. This makes it important to teach the foundations of building technology and how the world is constructed and is structurally sound.
While it is possible to create spaces that push the boundaries of reality in art, movies and virtual spaces (as in the movie Inception), we still as viewers are very comfortable in spaces that are realistic.We can differentiate up from down and we expect the lighting in virtual spaces to apply shadows exactly as we know in our world. This makes it important to teach the foundations of building technology and how the world is constructed and is structurally sound.
Evaluating spatial literacy
Assessing student’s spatial literacy will be based on the actual act of designing these virtual environments and inviting peers to use these spaces and meet in them in the designed spaces to see how well they work. Later on these created online spaces can be playgrounds, libraries or conference rooms. These spaces can be the foundation for other gaming and learning activities.
In the end of this course the students may create a collaborative environment where each student will design a unique space and all the spaces can be connected together to create one big structure. Collaboration will encourage students to talk to each other and agree on scale, size, color and any factors that can make the desired environment be effective and enjoyable to visitors.
In the end of this course the students may create a collaborative environment where each student will design a unique space and all the spaces can be connected together to create one big structure. Collaboration will encourage students to talk to each other and agree on scale, size, color and any factors that can make the desired environment be effective and enjoyable to visitors.
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