Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications

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    Visual Tools for Analyzing and Organizing Engineering Data and Information
    Hui, K ; Zarei, H ; Duffield, C ; Mostafa, S ; Rahnamayiezekavat, P (IGI Global, 2019)
    The chapter examines the use of visual tools in inquiry-based learning in post graduate engineering education. Engineering information has traditionally been communicated using engineering drawings and engineering graphics. With the advancement of technology, engineers are now empowered to work with data, information and to computer generated graphics. The ability to visualise data is fast becoming an important part of an engineer’s tool kit and skill sets. Just as engineering graphics have been used to aid product visualisation, knowledge of visual tools such as graphs, charts, fishbone diagrams, and one-pagers, posters etc are important as they have been successfully employed in the industry for decades as a basis for organisational learning and dissemination of information. However, many educational institutions still rely on text-based learning, which may rely on linguistic abilities to convey complex concepts. Visual learning tools such as a poster can overcome some of the disadvantages of language by showing complex relationships in diagrams or in a visual manner. In properly structured exercises, learners can also acquire knowledge and know-how by using visual tools to represent ideas in a similar manner. In this book chapter, we examine some of the visual tools that are commonly used in industry, we will attempt to explain the significance by using learning theories and showing examples of how they can be applied in a learning environment. In particular, we showcase how a poster can be used to combine a variety of visual tools to present information in a logical and consistent manner. We will also give a report on on-going education research work done use of one-pager or poster as a visual learning tool. Students reported benefits in poster exercise compared with a written assignment. This chapter also discusses the educational and managerial significance of using visual tools to greater effectiveness as the ability to communicate technical information is an important part of an engineer’s training and has significant implications on an engineer’s effectiveness.