Peer Review

UBC's GEOGRAPHY 316 Virtual Reality Field Trip

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Reviewed:: Jul 3, 2017 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

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Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: University of British Columbia's (UBC) Geography 316 virtual field trip is an outstanding example of a well-designed 360 degree virtual reality fieldtrip using the Holobuilder Project (tm). BC Campus is funding additional augmented-virtual reality fieldtrips that will be licensed under CC-BY-SA (see article at http://bccampus.ca/2017/05/10/virtual-reality-and-augmented-reality-field-trips-funded-by-oer-grants/ )
Type of Material:: Simulation - Virtual Reality Field Trip
Recommended Uses:: It is useful both in a geography course or as an individual project. It is also helpful for those who might be visiting the Vancouver area. It could be assigned (in whole, or in part) as an independent study. It could also be used in a study of ecology and man's impact on the environment and the impact of government on ecology. This site could be used as a demonstration of an educational field trip via Google Cardboard.
Technical Requirements:: To use your phone or mobile device, click on one of the Stop pages. Once the slides load, click the small (3D) icon at the bottom of the photosphere. Now you can hold your device up and move it around as if you were at the Stop. Clicking on the icons to bring up the added content. It is best to hold your device horizontally, but it will also work holding it vertically. If the content doesn’t work properly, try rotating your phone vertically and back again. This often fixes the problem. All of these sites can also be viewed using Google Cardboard if you have access to a Cardboard viewer. Just click the small Cardboard logo in the bottom of each Stop to enable it (note: the added content will not load in Google Cardboard). One reviewer had some difficulties using the program with an iPhone 6Plus using Safari; however on the iPhone 6 there seemed to be no difficulties. The 3D icon showed up as the 360 icon. Using a computer If you are using a computer, simply click on each link and scroll around each stop. Click on the icons to bring up the added content. You can select full screen mode to get a more immersive experience. The recommended platforms are Google Chrome, Safari and Firefox. Microsoft programs (Explorer, Edge) have difficulty rendering some of the added content icons and the sound.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: 1. To identify and discuss the geographic features around Vancouver, British Columbia 2. To provide access to learning about the Vancouver areas for those unable to visit in person.
Target Student Population:: Upper elementary, high school, college, and university. It is also useful for those not connected with education to use for their own enjoyment or preparation for a trip.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: BC represents British Columbia. Some non-Canadian users might be unfamiliar with that abbreviation.

Content Quality

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Strengths:: Content is systematically organized. There is a map at the beginning to indicate the "stops" on the field trip. Users need not go in sequence, but can click on the map and go directly to that "stop." Viewing is available both online on a computer and on a device. Additional links are available on the computer to articles and pictures and further information about the location. Users can copy and edit this material to suit their own needs.
Concerns:: None. The assignment mentioned at the end is not a part of this site for public use. We assume that without enrolling in the specific course, users will not have access to the assignment.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: Immediate access to the geographic area gives this site real potential for educators with internet access. The extra material (pictures, newspaper articles and the information buttons) give users further knowledge about the area. The image quality is excellent; people will linger while viewing the photos. This is a good introduction to using Google Cardboard. Users can share the materials with others. It has a Creative Commons license (attribution/share alike). Audio is powerful and makes the scene realistic. The design of this site lends itself to the creation of MERLOT learning exercises.
Concerns:: It may take time to load the slides, depending on your device.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: Layout of the site is intuitive and systematics. The map is an especially useful tool. Links and sounds are embedded and easy to find. In the upper right there is a search component; so users can follow the map, follow the list of stops, or search for a particular area or topic.
Concerns:: None.

Other Issues and Comments:: We were impressed with the fact that a link: http://bccampus.ca/2017/05/10/virtual-reality-and-augmented-reality-field-trips-funded-by-oer-grants/ allows users to explore how the site was created.
Creative Commons: