Evaluation of The OpenScience Lab’s 3D Virtual Skiddaw application

Project leader(s):  Shailey Minocha Tom Argles Steve Tilling

• Theme:  Technologies for STEM learning
• Project faculties:  STEM
• Status:  Archived
• Date:  October 2014 to October 2019

In this project¹, we had the following research objectives towards investigating the pedagogical advantages of virtual field trips (VTFs) and the challenges for their adoption:

1. Understanding the (potential) role of VFTs on the curriculum in schools and higher education institutions (HEIs) 

We have primarily focussed on Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences and Biology - disciplines that have a long tradition of physical fieldwork and first-hand experience of phenomena out-of-doors.

2. Gathering the requirements for a 3D VFT application - based on evaluation of The Open University’s 3D virtual geology fieldtrip – the Virtual Skiddaw application²
3. Challenges for adoption of 3D VFTs

Towards the research objectives, we investigated the following:

• pedagogical underpinnings of 3D virtual environments and 3D VFTs in disciplines such as geology, biology, environmental science/studies and geography which are founded on field observations, exploration and enquiry.
• potential of integrating VFTs within the curricula in schools and in HEIs.
• perceptions of educators, students and assessment bodies towards 3D VFTs, and virtual fieldwork, in general; we used the Virtual Skiddaw App in workshops and presentations to illustrate the concept of a 3D VFT.

The empirical investigations have been user-centred³– focusing on the stakeholders and particularly, the end-users such as educators, students and fieldwork specialists, and we have interacted with them via interviews, workshops, demonstrations and a survey to elicit their perceptions and requirements. 

¹Project outline and video on Daden’s website: https://www.daden.co.uk/case-studies  [accessed 14 October 2019]

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