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This paper presents a novel spatial instruction system for improving spatial abilities of engineering students. A 3D mobile game application called Virtual Blocks has been designed to provide a 3D virtual environment to build models with cubes that help students to perform visualization tasks to promote the development of their spatial ability during a short remedial course. A validation study with 26 freshman engineering students at La Laguna University (Spain) has concluded that the training had a measurable and positive impact on students spatial ability. In addition, the results obtained using a satisfaction questionnaire show that Virtual Blocks is considered an easy to use and stimulating application.

This paper presents a novel spatial instruction system for improving spatial abilities of engineering students. A 3D mobile game application called Virtual Blocks has been designed to provide a 3D virtual environment to build models with cubes that help students to perform visualization tasks to promote the development of their spatial ability during a short remedial course. A validation study with 26 freshman engineering students at La Laguna University (Spain) has concluded that the training had a measurable and positive impact on students spatial ability. In addition, the results obtained using a satisfaction questionnaire show that Virtual Blocks is considered an easy to use and stimulating application.

[EN] The use of mobile devices in the world of teaching is increasing every day and the newly appeared digital tablets are taking place as the most flexible tools within the field of education. The teaching on this device has been called tablet learning. The graphic possibilities of these devices allow to use them perfectly in the teaching of those subjects where the graphic expression of ideas is important (representation of shapes, artistic drawings, visual display or visualization of 3D models, geospatial applications and so on). In this article we aim at setting the present situation of these digital tablets within the educational world as well as at evaluating the possibilities of these devices as tools to teach drawing, design and visual arts. We analyze those applications that are available for these devices and can be used in the teaching of these disciplines. Such applications will be classified according to the features of the working patterns. Within each category, we will try to find those features that define it. The purpose of that compilation is to let the teachers, of these knowledge area, know about the set of applications that they use can to organize workshops by using these new devices., [ES] El uso de dispositivos móviles en la enseñanza está aumentando cada día y las tabletas digitales, de reciente aparición, se perfilan como uno de los instrumentos más flexibles para el ámbito de la educación denominando a la enseñanza sobre este dispositivo como Tablet-Learning. Las posibilidades gráficas de estos dispositivos permiten utilizarlas adecuadamente para la enseñanza de aquellas asignaturas donde la expresión gráfica de las ideas es importante (representación de formas, dibujos artísticos, visualización de modelos tridimensionales, aplicaciones geoespaciales…). En este artículo pretendemos establecer la situación actual de estas tabletas digitales en el mundo educativo y hacer una valoración de las posibilidades de estos dispositivos como herramienta para la docencia del dibujo, diseño y artes plásticas. Analizamos aquellas aplicaciones disponibles para estos dispositivos y que se pueden utilizar en la docencia de estas disciplinas. Dichas aplicaciones se categorizarán de acuerdo a las características de los formatos de trabajo. Dentro de cada una de estas categorías se tratará de encontrar aquellas características que las definen. Se pretende con dicha recopilación que los profesores de estas asignaturas conozcan estas aplicaciones y puedan organizar talleres utilizando estos nuevos dispositivos.

[EN] This paper attempts to harness the opportunities for mobility and the new user interfaces that handheld touch screen devices offer, in a non-formal learning context, with a view to developing spatial ability. This research has addressed two objectives: first, analyzing the effects that training can have on spatial visualisation using the educational content developed for this pilot study; and second, evaluating the experience of users in the use of handheld touch screen devices and their degree of satisfaction with the on-line course proposed. Two study groups were used: an experimental group, which undergoes a one week training programme, and a control group, which does no spatial training tasks during this period. The results show a significant improvement in average spatial visualisation scores among the experimental group in comparison with the control group. Students value positively the course accomplished and they expressed their preference for these multimedia contents over the conventional pencil and paper formats, and for the on-line learning over a face to face course. They also consider that having materials of this kind available in their study programme subjects and the possibility of accessing this material at any time and in any place to be a positive aspect. © International Forum of Educational Technology & Society (IFETS).

[EN] The use of mobile devices in the world of teaching is increasing every day and the newly appeared digital tablets are taking place as the most flexible tools within the field of education. The teaching on this device has been called tablet learning. The graphic possibilities of these devices allow to use them perfectly in the teaching of those subjects where the graphic expression of ideas is important (representation of shapes, artistic drawings, visual display or visualization of 3D models, geospatial applications and so on). In this article we aim at setting the present situation of these digital tablets within the educational world as well as at evaluating the possibilities of these devices as tools to teach drawing, design and visual arts. We analyze those applications that are available for these devices and can be used in the teaching of these disciplines. Such applications will be classified according to the features of the working patterns. Within each category, we will try to find those features that define it. The purpose of that compilation is to let the teachers, of these knowledge area, know about the set of applications that they use can to organize workshops by using these new devices., [ES] El uso de dispositivos móviles en la enseñanza está aumentando cada día y las tabletas digitales, de reciente aparición, se perfilan como uno de los instrumentos más flexibles para el ámbito de la educación denominando a la enseñanza sobre este dispositivo como Tablet-Learning. Las posibilidades gráficas de estos dispositivos permiten utilizarlas adecuadamente para la enseñanza de aquellas asignaturas donde la expresión gráfica de las ideas es importante (representación de formas, dibujos artísticos, visualización de modelos tridimensionales, aplicaciones geoespaciales…). En este artículo pretendemos establecer la situación actual de estas tabletas digitales en el mundo educativo y hacer una valoración de las posibilidades de estos dispositivos como herramienta para la docencia del dibujo, diseño y artes plásticas. Analizamos aquellas aplicaciones disponibles para estos dispositivos y que se pueden utilizar en la docencia de estas disciplinas. Dichas aplicaciones se categorizarán de acuerdo a las características de los formatos de trabajo. Dentro de cada una de estas categorías se tratará de encontrar aquellas características que las definen. Se pretende con dicha recopilación que los profesores de estas asignaturas conozcan estas aplicaciones y puedan organizar talleres utilizando estos nuevos dispositivos.

[EN] This paper attempts to harness the opportunities for mobility and the new user interfaces that handheld touch screen devices offer, in a non-formal learning context, with a view to developing spatial ability. This research has addressed two objectives: first, analyzing the effects that training can have on spatial visualisation using the educational content developed for this pilot study; and second, evaluating the experience of users in the use of handheld touch screen devices and their degree of satisfaction with the on-line course proposed. Two study groups were used: an experimental group, which undergoes a one week training programme, and a control group, which does no spatial training tasks during this period. The results show a significant improvement in average spatial visualisation scores among the experimental group in comparison with the control group. Students value positively the course accomplished and they expressed their preference for these multimedia contents over the conventional pencil and paper formats, and for the on-line learning over a face to face course. They also consider that having materials of this kind available in their study programme subjects and the possibility of accessing this material at any time and in any place to be a positive aspect. © International Forum of Educational Technology & Society (IFETS).

Las nuevas interfaces de usuario y los recientes desarrollos en el campo de las comunicaciones móviles han creado un amplio abanico de posibilidades para los usuarios y para el diseño y el acceso a los materiales de aprendizaje. Esta tesis explora las oportunidades que nos ofrecen las nuevas interfaces usuario y la utilización de dispositivos móviles de pantalla táctil, con la intención de ofrecer cursos intensivos de mejora de las habilidades espaciales a los estudiantes de ingeniería con mayores dificultades en este ámbito. Con este propósito y en este contexto se abordan: -Nuevas herramientas y nuevos formatos: SketchUp y los dispositivos móviles de pantalla táctil, -Nuevos contextos: la educación a distancia y -Medida de la satisfacción de los usuarios: evaluación de los cursos realizados. Con este objetivo, este trabajo se estructura en base a dos líneas de actuación, diferenciadas en función del soporte utilizado y conectadas por su desarrollo temporal: 1. Se desarrollan dos estudios de campo con estudiantes de primer curso de ingeniería, un primer estudio utilizando el software SketchUp y otro con una aplicación web interactiva denominada "Building with blocks". Estos dos trabajos se muestran efectivos en la mejora de las habilidades espaciales. 2. Los resultados obtenidos nos permiten abordar el diseño de nuevos materiales sobre dispositivos móviles de pantalla táctil. Se elaboran dos tipologías: -Un entorno web interactivo en formato plano (2D), optimizado para dispositivos tipo iPod Touch. Se diseña y evalúa un curso on-line programado para cinco días con este material. El curso muestra su efectividad en la mejora de las habilidades espaciales y es valorado con un alto grado de satisfacción por los estudiantes. -Una aplicación para teléfonos móviles de pantalla táctil que nos permite la construcción de modelos de cubos en un entorno tridimensional y que ha sido desarrollada para el sistema operativo Windows Mobile.