Collaborative Research: Strategies for Learning: Augmented Reality and Collaborative Problem-Solving for Building Sciences

学习策略：建筑科学的增强现实和协作问题解决，这是佛罗里达国际大学和密苏里州立大学的合作项目，将把增强现实(AR)与建筑信息建模(BIM)、视觉模拟和互动课程相结合，以支持协作学习。具体地说，研究小组将研究基于计算机的工具Eocon是否以及如何能够提高学生解决问题和协作学习的技能，从而设计出更可持续和性能更好的建筑。注册建筑、土木/建筑工程和机械工程课程的学生将参加四个为期四周的单元，在每个单元之后，将在跨学科团队中完成一项协作作业。由于人们对如何使用新技术和AR的集成进行学习和协作知之甚少，解决该项目的研究问题可能会极大地促进使用新媒体和新兴媒体的学习环境的设计。对工程师和建筑师进行更广泛的教育，强调协作、领导力和沟通技能，也可能在他们进入劳动力大军后增加创新、增强可持续性和降低培训成本。佛罗里达国际大学在为占学生总数80%的少数族裔提供科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)教育方面有着良好的历史。因此，在这个项目中部署的活动包括K-12学生参与、研讨会、演讲、开发的课程将影响不同的学生群体，并为未来多样化的高素质建筑和建筑劳动力奠定基础。研究人员将使用基于设计的研究方法来发现：(1)参与Eocon如何影响学生的问题解决技能和协作学习互动？(2)与项目的互动如何改变学生对各自学科中构建科学原理的理解？(3)Eocon的使用是否提高了学生成功地将所学原理迁移到新环境中的能力？(4)Eocon的使用和项目方法对学生进一步协作学习的动机有何影响？之所以选择基于设计的方法，是因为教学实验将设置在真实世界的学习环境中，其中有许多无法控制的变量，这种方法将使研究人员能够尝试尽可能多地优化设计，并仔细观察不同元素是如何工作的。评估和评价将使用混合方法进行，包括但不限于认知评估，如前后测试和技术报告，以及情感评估，如态度前后调查和离职面谈。项目成果和技术将为为其他STEM领域创建类似的多学科学习工具提供指导方针。所有项目方法和工具都将在一个专门的开放源码网站上方便地获取，以便其他机构根据自己的情况复制和/或修改学习经验。

Strategies for Learning: Augmented Reality and Collaborative Problem Solving for Building Sciences, a collaborative project between Florida International University and Missouri State University, will integrate Augmented Reality (AR) with Building Information Modeling (BIM), visual simulations, and interactive lessons to support collaborative learning. Specifically, the research team will examine if and how Ecocon, a computer-based tool, can improve students' problem-solving and collaborative learning skills leading to the design of more sustainable and better performing buildings. Students enrolled in architecture, civil/construction engineering, and mechanical engineering courses will engage in four four-week units, and after each, will complete a collaborative assignment in interdisciplinary teams. As there is little known about how people learn and collaborate using the integration of new technologies and AR, addressing the research questions of this project will potentially contribute significantly to advancing the design of learning environments using new and emerging media. The broader education of engineers and architects emphasizing collaboration, leadership, and communication skills will also potentially lead to increased innovation, enhanced sustainability, and reduced cost of training once they enter the work force. Florida International University has a proven history of providing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for underrepresented minorities that comprise 80% of the student population. Therefore, activities deployed in this project including K-12 student involvement, seminars, presentations, and developed courses will impact diverse student populations and serve as a foundation for a diverse high quality building and construction workforce in the future.The investigators will use a design-based research approach to discover: (1) How does engaging with Ecocon impact students' problem-solving skills and collaborative learning interactions? (2) How does interaction with the project change students' understanding of building science principles in their respective disciplines? (3) Does use of Ecocon enhance the ability of students to successfully transfer the principles they have learned to new situations? (4) What is the impact of the use and the project approach on student motivation for further collaborative learning? A design-based methodology was selected because the pedagogical experiments will be set in real-world learning environments where there are many variables that cannot be controlled, and this approach will allow the researchers to try to optimize as much of the design as possible and to observe carefully how the different elements are working. Assessment and evaluation will be conducted using mixed methods, including, but not limited to cognitive assessments such as pre- and post-tests and technical reports, and affective assessments such as pre-and post-attitude surveys and exit interviews. Project outcomes and techniques will provide guidelines to create similar multi-disciplinary learning tools for other STEM fields. All project methods and tools will be easily accessible on a dedicated open source website to allow other institutions to replicate and/or modify the learning experience for their own circumstances.