In this recorded webinar, we took a virtual field trip to learn how a team of Mizzou researchers and instructional designers engaged geology students with an interactive virtual field experience (VFE) they created using the Articulate Storyline e-learning platform.
VFEs supplement field education in geology curricula when those opportunities are limited by inclement weather, inaccessible field sites, or global pandemics. Frequent cancellations of a mandatory field trip to Rock Bridge Memorial State Park led the team to develop a VFE of the park that includes:
- role-playing elements
- 360° photographs
- interactive annotations and quizzes
- narrated overlays
- and scavenger hunt activities
The team's research shows that the VFE is as effective as in-person field trips in supporting learning objectives and fostering engagement.
Additional resources
- 1 Week Access to VFE
- Need longer access? Check out our videos!
References
- Speir, E., Du Plessis, R., Oprean, D., & Jacquet, S. M. (2022). Work in progress—Designing virtual field environments closer to home: Making a VFE of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. [Conference Poster and Abstract]. Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) Conference, 1-3. IEEE: Vienna, Austria. https://doi.org/10.23919/iLRN55037.2022.9815993
- Oprean, D., Da Silva Santos, D., Gould, H., Speir, E., du Plessis, R., & Jacquet, S. (2023, October 16). It’s All in the Design - the Learning Design: Comparing Active Learning Affordances within VLEs. Association for Educational Communications & Technology, Orlando, FL, United States. https://tinyurl.com/28ldrcpw
- du Plessis, R., Speir, E., Oprean, D., & Jacquet, S. M. (2022). Immersive and engaging content creation with 360° images: Lessons learned from the design and development of a virtual field experience. Online Learning Consortium Accelerate.
- Speir, E., du Plessis, R., Oprean, D., Jacquet, S. M. (2022). Virtually there: Developing a geological virtual field environment of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Missouri USA. The Geological Society of America (GSA). Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 54(5). Denver, CO, USA. https://www.doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022AM-382284
Author
Bryant Lazenby, M.Ed.
Laz is a lifelong learner and technology lover who joined Missouri Online as an instructional designer in July 2021. He is a Level 2 Google Certified Educator with over 10 years of teaching experience in secondary and post-secondary education and is currently working on a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Lindenwood University where his research is in incorporating gamification strategies into the classroom. He was born and raised on a farm that has been in his family for over a century located northwest of Sedalia, Missouri, where he lives today. When he isn’t in front of his computer, he can generally be found reading or attending local painting classes.
