Implementing and evaluating an immersive virtual learning environment for learning how to design in human-scale

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Mimarlık Fakültesi, Mimarlık Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2018

Öğrenci: ORKUN SÖNMEZ

Danışman: ARZU SORGUÇ

Özet:

It is a general consent that virtual reality technology will contribute in education in all levels in future, and yet the contemporary literature shows that how virtual reality can affect the learning especially in architectural education is not a clear concept. Deriving from constructive learning, problem-based learning, immersive technologies, and intended learning outcomes in learning how to design in human-scale, an immersive virtual learning environment was implemented within an appropriate design/learning activity. Immersive experience of bodily interactions and problem solving process were focused. A novel method of evaluation was also developed over this synthesis, and an evaluation rubric was created based on the SOLO taxonomy. According to the evaluation method, a before-and-after test was conducted within a case study involving a particular scenario of design exercise and interviews. Results showed that the proposed immersive virtual learning environment might provide an enhancement on novice architecture students’ learning on how to design in human-scale, in a scope where short-term exposure and short-term design exercises are issued. The proposed method of evaluation provided the opportunity to explore and assess causal relations between the observed advancements of students and the use of particular immersive features. Case study’s scenario which moves students out of their comfort zone in terms of their familiarity with the design requirements and with the provided type of experience was found to be crucial in applicability of the proposed evaluation method.