Photogrammetry as a Method of Educational Innovation. Civil Engineering Student Case Study

Educational innovation is a daily challenge for both students and teachers. Over the years, new pedagogies and models have been developed so that both stakeholders can make the most of the spaces inside and outside the classroom. In response to this, there are various tools that not only facilitate student engagement in the class but also enable the instructor to use them to make sessions more active and raise the cognitive level. An example of what was described above is virtual or digital laboratories; these are interactive platforms that adapt to different styles of learning and teaching. In addition to this, they promote collaboration among students, motivate, nurture creativity, and allow for the repetition of experiences without the need to be physically present where the work is being done. This, in turn, results in the introduction of hybrid learning methods [1]. On the other hand, a tool that aids in the performance of these laboratories is photogrammetry, which is a remote information capture system. It includes remote sensing and photointerpretation, techniques that complement each other. However, it can be affirmed that photogrammetry is realized through a quantitative interpretation of aerial photographs and other aerial photographic materials to obtain maps [2]. Based on the elements described above, it is understood that educational innovation is at a point where, thanks to the appropriate use of technology, a teaching and learning process can be actively involving both teachers and students Urban heritage, encompassing both tangible and intangible heritage, is a valuable resource that can be effectively integrated into education. The digitization of historical and urban buildings through photogrammetry has become an innovative tool for transforming the way students interact with the built environment and cultural heritage. This combination of technology and education enables students to actively explore and learn about urban heritage, thereby contributing to its preservation. With the previous paragraphs as context, the aim of this article is to demonstrate the effectiveness of using photogrammetry to create digital twins of buildings and thus transform the concept of digital laboratories. The idea is that, using a technological tool, the learning process of undergraduate students can be enhanced by the digitization of buildings. The study presented here is conducted under a quantitative approach; specifically, a questionnaire consisting of five Likert scale items is administered to the students studying Civil Engineering at a private university in Puebla, Mexico. Finally, it must be acknowledged that virtual laboratories have transformed the educational process. Specifically, photogrammetry is a tool that helps students carry out various digital interventions on different buildings, enhancing their learning.