The academic institution, UniSA, has launched an innovative simulated reality system, revolutionizing training within the building sector. This digital tool, known as SiteSeer, permits learners in architectural and building trades to navigate construction zones securely, while simultaneously applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. Furthermore, the system includes detailed feedback and assessment tools, allowing instructors to monitor student progress and comprehension in real time.
Crafted by UniSA’s faculty, SiteSeer generates a lifelike, subjective viewpoint of building locations, akin to interactive gaming experiences. Participants can witness the complete assembly procedures and acquire the skills to convert two-dimensional blueprints into three-dimensional models, effectively linking conceptual designs with tangible outcomes. Additionally, the platform integrates collaborative features, enabling students to work together on virtual projects, fostering teamwork and communication skills essential in the construction industry.
Professor Sean Pickersgill, a senior faculty member specializing in architectural studies at the University of South Australia, articulated that the interactive digital environment was conceived to resolve practical obstacles encountered when conducting on-location tours. He elaborated that arranging in-person field trips for learners presents difficulties, given the inability to guarantee an equal educational encounter for each participant.
The software emerged from a prior iteration termed OnSite, which had been originally crafted in 2015. The most recent version, known as SiteSeer, encompasses more than 70 separate stages within the building procedure for a compact, two-level workshop. It attains a significant degree of replicated authenticity, showcasing intricate components such as refuse containers, plant life, and implements.
From its commencement, upwards of a thousand new pupils have interacted with the digital tool within a preliminary class focused on Australian building methods. Professor Pickersgill highlights that, despite university-level architectural and structural engineering qualifications encountering difficulties in delivering direct practical learning because of temporal limitations, this basic understanding remains essential.
By substituting on-site excursions with the SiteSeer application, educators can mitigate hazards and improve inclusivity, while simultaneously providing an enriched pedagogical experience. This software grants trainees the ability to examine every facet of a building project and acquire thorough comprehension of each developmental phase through a unified interface. As the field of building design instruction advances in the electronic era, groundbreaking solutions such as SiteSeer are establishing a precedent for more extensive, approachable, and captivating educational journeys for forthcoming designers and building experts.
