Teaching and Learning 3D Transformations in Introductory Computer Graphics: A User Study

Thomas Suselo, Burkhard C. Wünsche, Andrew Luxton-Reilly

2022

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) transformations are fundamental in computer graphics and hence an important component of introductory courses in this field. So far there has been no research investigating the learning challenges and whether they are predominantly related to the underlying mathematics, problem solving skills, programming issues, or a lack of visuospatial abilities. In this paper we present a user study investigating which 3D transformation concepts students struggle with and why. Our results suggest that most students understand primitive transformations, but often make errors with sequences of transformations, e.g., due to not understanding how transformations affect each other or what the correct order of operations is in English language, OpenGL code, or as a matrix product. Other frequent errors are misunderstanding the rotation direction (i.e., clockwise vs. anti-clockwise) and misinterpreting scaling factors. In addition, many students seem to lack spatial reasoning skills to interpret images of 3D transformations and to make mental models of their effect. Our results illustrate common misconceptions and problems, and we discuss strategies for educators to improve the teaching of 3D transformations in computer graphics.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Suselo T., Wünsche B. and Luxton-Reilly A. (2022). Teaching and Learning 3D Transformations in Introductory Computer Graphics: A User Study. In Proceedings of the 17th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP 2022) - Volume 1: GRAPP; ISBN 978-989-758-555-5, SciTePress, pages 126-135. DOI: 10.5220/0011003100003124

in Bibtex Style

@conference{grapp22,
author={Thomas Suselo and Burkhard C. Wünsche and Andrew Luxton-Reilly},
title={Teaching and Learning 3D Transformations in Introductory Computer Graphics: A User Study},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 17th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP 2022) - Volume 1: GRAPP},
year={2022},
pages={126-135},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0011003100003124},
isbn={978-989-758-555-5},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 17th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP 2022) - Volume 1: GRAPP
TI - Teaching and Learning 3D Transformations in Introductory Computer Graphics: A User Study
SN - 978-989-758-555-5
AU - Suselo T.
AU - Wünsche B.
AU - Luxton-Reilly A.
PY - 2022
SP - 126
EP - 135
DO - 10.5220/0011003100003124
PB - SciTePress