Immersive Tools for Field-Based Geoscience Education in Large Undergraduate Courses: Pacific Spirit Forest Augmented Reality field trip and Alpine Ecosystem Virtual Reality tours

TitleImmersive Tools for Field-Based Geoscience Education in Large Undergraduate Courses: Pacific Spirit Forest Augmented Reality field trip and Alpine Ecosystem Virtual Reality tours
Faculty/College/UnitArts
StatusCompleted
Duration3 Years
Initiation04/01/2019
Completion04/01/2024
Project Summary

Geoscience education is rooted in experiential, field-based learning. However, short class times, large student numbers, variable TA expertise and distance to field sites hinder outdoor education in large undergraduate courses. GEOS 102 Introduction to Climates and Ecosystems, for example, has just one field activity (to nearby Pacific Spirit Forest), which must be delivered in multiple 50-minute sections by TAs with varying knowledge. Immersive technology can overcome these challenges by using Augmented Reality (AR) in actual field trips and Virtual Reality (VR) for sites too remote to visit. This project will expand a self-guided, mobile app-assisted AR version of the existing Pacific Spirit Forest field trip and create a set of 360° virtual field trips to BC coastal forest and alpine ecosystems. Highlighting basic ecological concepts and human impacts, these tools will offer immersive, visually rich education about BC’s changing ecosystems suitable for use or emulation across undergraduate geoscience curricula.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2019/2020
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorNina Hewitt
Year 1: Funded Amount17,036
Year 1: Team Members

Nina Hewitt, Instructor, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Brian Wilson, Curriculum Manager, Vantage College and Faculty of Arts / Staff Liaison, UBC Emerging Media Lab

Year 1: TLEF ShowcaseYear 1: TLEF Showcase
Year 2: Project YearYear 2
Year 2: Funding Year2020/2021
Year 2: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 2: Principal InvestigatorNina Hewitt
Year 2: Funded Amount7,960
Year 2: Team Members

Nina Hewitt, Instructor, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Brian Wilson, Curriculum Manager, Vantage College and Faculty of Arts / Staff Liaison, UBC Emerging Media Lab
Sally Hermansen, Professor of Teaching, Geography, Faculty of Arts

Year 3: Project YearYear 3
Year 3: Funding Year2022/2023
Year 3: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 3: Principal InvestigatorNina Hewitt
Year 3: Funded Amount4,000
Year 3: Team Members

Nina Hewitt, Assistant Professor of Teaching, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Brian Wilson, Curriculum Manager, Vantage College and Faculty of Arts / Staff Liaison, UBC Emerging Media Lab
Cassandra Elphinstone, PhD Student, Geography, Faculty of Arts

Year 3: TLEF ShowcaseYear 3: TLEF Showcase
Project Report2022-TLEF-Final-Report-Hewitt-WEB.pdf