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Virtual landscapes:Geoscience education in digital environmentsJacqueline Houghton Annabeth Robinson

Jacqueline Houghton1, Annabeth Robinson2, Clare Gordon1, Geoff Lloyd1, Mark Thomas1, Dan Morgan1 and Ben Craven1.

1School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds2Leeds College of Art

A collaboration between the School of Earth and Environment and Leeds College of Art.Screen-based virtual reality environments, using the Unity 3D game engine. Winner: THE Award Outstanding Digital Innovation in Teaching or Research, 2016. Short-listed: Guardian University Awards for Digital Innovation, 2017.Virtual Landscapes Project

Enhance the training students receive for geological fieldwork. Develop 3D visualisation skills.Accessible alternative fieldtrips.Engineering Geology site investigation skillsFreely available on the internet http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/virtual-landscapes/ Used in the UK, US, South Africa, Germany and Guyana.

Virtual Landscapes Project

Three River HillsLighthouse Bay3D Interactive Geological Maps3D Interactive Topographic MapCurrent Virtual Landscapes

Geological Mapping Aim of geological mapping produce a 3D representation of the geology of an area in the form of a map and cross section(s).Relatively few places rocks seen at the surface.Find these rocks, record their positions (on a field slip) and relevant details (in a notebook).From incomplete and spatially distributed data create a 3D representation of the geology.

Designed as an in-class exercise with paper field slip and notebook.Virtual landscape populated with rock outcrops. Replicate aspects of the mapping experience - not a fieldwork replacement!Grid references.How to plot data.Decision making skills.Geological Mapping & Field Skills

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Classroom UseBefore first mapping fieldtripFestival of Science with A level school pupilsEasier to focus on learning and teaching the skills in a classroom than in the field.Students made the same mistakes they make when learning in the field.Outcrop capture get em on the map fast; worry about the geology later.

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I feel/felt more confident with how to plot data on my field slipPre-trip 89%Post-trip 87%

I feel/felt better prepared for the fieldPre-trip 69%Post-trip 60%

I found the virtual training a useful experience mappingPretrip 80%Posttrip 71%Student Feedback

St Gwenfaens Well

Bearings

Create alternative field trips for students with health/mobility issues.Hand specimens and thin sections, photographs.Assessment : Field report, map, cross section etc.More closely matches learning outcomes.Hybrid trips: Recreate specific localities for students who can attend field trip but not reach every outcrop.Accessibility Benefits

AccessibleFieldwork

AlternativeAnglesey

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AccessibleFieldworkAlternativeAnglesey

Alternative Anglesey

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Alternative Anglesey

3D Visualisation

3D Visualisation

Engineering Geology Site InvestigationComing soon

Site Investigation

Example of 3D Unity used in science context.Can be used for non-Geology fieldwork situations.Rehearse skills before going into real world.Accessibility potential.Exploration of 3D objects.BeyondGeosciences

SummaryGame-based training environments.Learn basic field and site investigation skills before going into the field.Develop 3D visualisation skills.Field skills training for those unable to access the field.Results: Increased confidence in field skills.Time saved in the field.Improved performance.

http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/virtual-landscapes/

School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds:Jacqueline HoughtonClare Gordon, Geoff Lloyd, Mark Thomas, Dan Morgan and Ben Craven

11/03/2017Virtual landscapes27Leeds College of ArtAnnabeth Robinson

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