Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

Advancing Skill-Based Assessment in Masonry Education with 3D Wall Scanning

Words: Conner Birdsong
Photos: MCAA


Over the past year, we’ve had the opportunity to demonstrate a cutting-edge 3D wall scanner at a variety of masonry competitions and career exploration events across the region, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Students, instructors, and industry observers alike have expressed strong interest in how this technology can revolutionize the way we evaluate masonry work. The scanner itself—commercially available and remarkably user-friendly—captures precise measurements of student-built walls, offering a level of accuracy and consistency that traditional visual assessments often lack.

 

What truly sets this initiative apart is the custom evaluation software currently being developed by the MCAA software development team. Once complete, this tool will streamline the evaluation process by providing fast, objective, and standardized feedback on masonry projects. Most importantly, this technology will help drive a shift toward more skill-based assessment models—placing emphasis on hands-on performance rather than relying primarily on written tests to gauge student learning. By evaluating craftsmanship directly, we can better align instruction with real-world job site expectations and more accurately reflect a student’s readiness for the workforce.



What’s especially exciting is that the masonry trade is helping lead the charge when it comes to integrating advanced technology into career and technical education. While many view construction trades as slow to adapt, masonry is proving that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand. By embracing tools like the 3D wall scanner and its forthcoming evaluation software, we are setting a new standard—not only for how we teach and assess students, but for how the trades can evolve to meet the future. It’s a powerful example of how technology can preserve craftsmanship, improve education, and elevate the perception of skilled trades across the board.



About: Industry News
 0
Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q2
June 2026

This issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk.

David Biggs
Bonding with Masonry
Read More
The Thirty-Year Mason: Ergonomics as a Retention Strategy
June 2026

In most industry circles, the conversation around the labor shortage follows a predictable script: How do we find the next generation of masons? While recruitment is vital, we often overlook the most valuable asset already on the job site: the experienced

Shayne Sanders
MAP Partner
Read More
Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

MAP Partner
Read More
Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma

Lily Burger
Masonry in the Media
Read More