VIRTUAL GEOLOGY LEARNING

VIRTUAL REVOLUTION BRINGS POWERFUL AND INNOVATIVE ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL GEOLOGY LEARNING.

Virtual Geology Learning Tools could be powerful alternatives to traditional geology learning when the physical environment or objects are not readily available to students. 

We researched virtual strategies that can help engage students in formal and/or informal environments. These virtual strategies were accomplished by using technological advances in photogrammetry, small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS), panoramic photography, gigapixel imagery, 360˚ imagery, 3D mapping, 3D rendering, 3D game programming, and virtual/augmented/mixed reality.

The core part of our virtual strategies is the Virtual Geology Learning Toolbox(TM) which contains virtual tools such as virtual specimens in a traditional laboratory, virtual roadcut, virtual overlook, virtual flight in 3D map platforms, and virtual excursions in 3D game worlds.

We developed a virtual reality application as well and brought those tools into a more immersive virtual world.

In addition to the Virtual Geology Learning Toolbox(TM), we exploited technologies to promote active participation in traditional field trips by introducing sUAS and an outdoor media sharing platform.

Feedback from students and instructors is very positive, although we have faced limitations in some aspects of the technology.

We predict that these limitations can be addressed as the technology develops, resulting in more powerful tools to leverage active learning in college geology.