The late Professor Bruce Archer deduced that modelling was a significant area of general education. Archer interpreted that modelling was directly linked to Design; recognising that Design represented a third area in curriculum. This ideology is represented in Figure 2 3 below, which demonstrates that not only is modelling ‘the language of designing’, but that it is also related to the areas of Humanities and Science since language and notation are equally forms of modelling. Similarly, his definition is that “A model is anything which represents anything else for informational, experimental, evaluative or communication purposes.” (Archer et al 1992, p.7) Additional to drawings, he recognised how designers use physical models to represent …show more content…
Physical models can be categorically identified according to their material (clay, cardboard, paper, foam, ect.) and according to their purpose (design, educational). Physical models are used to assist in the communication of abstract ideas and concepts, through supporting the individuals in the creation of a ‘mental image’ making abstract ideas which can be visualised and manipulated to get a better understanding of what the model is conveying. 2.3.2.2 Virtual Modelling: Virtual modelling uses computers to represent a “simulation of the real thing in such a way that it presents reality in essence or in effect though not in actual fact.” (ITEA 2007, p.242) Virtual modelling also known as solid modelling is “a three-dimensional, computer- generated model of an object that resides in three-dimensional space. (Gillespie, 1995, p. 30) Virtual modelling can be classed into three separate techniques; wireframe modelling, surface modelling and solid modelling. The earliest form of modelling was wireframe, which evolved from 2D CAD drawings. This type of modelling consisted of “lines and arcs joined end to end to make up a 3-d model” (Murray 2003 cited in Koch 2006, p.11). This form of modelling had limitations as it could not produce complex models and hadn’t …show more content…
Strong spatial visualisation skills have shown to be directly correlated with the capability to create mental models of problems. Jonassen 2000 discovered that to successfully solve problems, a mental model must be constructed initially; to identify the problem and to permeate the manipulation of the model to find a solution to the problem. Spatial visualisation differs from spatial orientation by identifying what is being moved. A visualisation activity consists of mentally moving or altering the construction of an entire or part of an object. (Tartre 1990) Therefore, competency in modelling requires strong spatial visualisation skills so as to have the capacity to construct and rotate 3D models to gain a deeper understanding of particular principles/