Virtual Modeling of Bedroom Design

Unique Advantages

Matches the preferred learning style of many of today’s students {Is it learning style or production style that virtual modeling accesses?}
Enables students with limited drawing skills to render successfully
Helps students capture interim versions of their designs
Helps teachers assess the evolution of students’ ideas and their progression of learning
Allows students to communicate by generating rendered design ideas for projected or printed PowerPoint presentations
Eliminates waste of material resources
Ability to engage in many iterations quickly provides a shameless way for students to build needed knowledge in timely fashion

Permits students to easily vary geometric attributes of a shape (e.g., length, width, height) and define resulting areas, perimeters, and volumes.
Scaffolds students’ ability to visualize 2- and 3-D shapes
Allows for easy repetition to support development of skill in using the software
Enables the use and integration of other software (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint)
Enhances the ability to use (and understand the use of) software as a powerful modeling tool

Fosters creativity and higher quality through iteration
Allows for trying out alternatives without additional costs (in terms of time, capital, materials, equipment)
Allows students to learn from trying out “What-if” scenarios with little risk
Easy editing and duplicating of complex virtual objects, angles and shapes
Provides instantaneous visual feedback to help make design choices more informed.
Permits precise scaling and dimensioning of geometric shapes and elements
Rapidly calculates geometric areas to help students check calculations

(not necessarily unique to virtual modeling)

The software offers specific features, including ease of editing and replicating shapes and angles; allowing students access to an almost unlimited supply of clip art and other on-line resources; and representational reality.
Reinforces key concepts and skills learned in class (e.g., modeling, design, ratio and proportion, scale, making and interpreting “nets”).
Develops higher-order thinking skills (e.g., synthesis, analysis, evaluation) in the context of solving engaging problems
Consistent with contemporary method of designing
Supports creativity through vast library of already-rendered objects, capacity to save versions and return to them later.

Physical Modeling of Bedroom Design

Unique Advantages and Value Added

Students feel significant ownership of their constructed model
Tactile and kinesthetic experience of the design complements and improves comprehension of the problem
Physical model conveys ideas in unique ways that complement on-screen designs, especially for people with limited visualization skills.
Doing physical measuring reinforces measuring skills.
Geometry is experienced in a more meaningful, real-world way

Skill in the use of hand tools and machines and in the processing of materials is developed
Promotes skills in effective management and use of limited materials to achieve a specific purpose
Errors in math and design thinking are made visible through making the physical model
Physical model provides a reality check to screen-based modeling (e.g., gravity can be absent in screen-based modeling).

Building a prototypical physical model is an essential component of the design process.
A physical model provides additional feedback to designers, i.e., it informs designers where the virtual model may not be accurate and keeps the virtual design honest.
A physical model better captures the irregularities and vagaries of a complex, real-world environment.
Work with 3-D physical model is a necessary complement to work with virtual models (e.g., it is sometimes easier to view the impact of changes in object placement in the physical model).
A physical full-scale prototype permits testing of designs under real-world conditions.
Allows testing of prototype qualities not easily modeled on the computer. An example is ergonomics (the “fit” between the design and human users).
Contributes added realism for purposes of visualization, presentation, and marketing
Promotes creative thinking in that students may find it easier to create and develop their ideas when handling physical materials.

(not unique to physical modeling)

Enhances communication skills through group discussion and planning
Students recognize that teamwork is a necessity to get the job done effectively and in time