360°-Based Virtual Field Trips to Waterworks in Higher Education

• Main Authors: Mario Wolf, Florian Wehking, Michael Montag, Heinrich Söbke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
• Series: Computers
• Subjects: 360-degree model; engineering education; virtual tour; virtual reality; panoramic virtual reality; place-based learning
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/10/9/118

360° models are a form of virtual reality (VR) that allow the viewer to view and explore a photorealistic object from multiple locations within the model. Hence, 360° models are an option to perform virtual field trips (VFT) independent of time and location. Thanks to recent technical progress, 360° models are creatable with little effort. Due to their characteristics of visualization and explorability, 360° models appear as excellent learning tools, especially when additional didactic features, such as annotations, are used. The subject of this explorative field study is a 360° model of a waterworks that has been annotated for learning purposes. Data are collected from a total of 55 learners in four cohorts from study programs in environmental engineering and urban studies using a questionnaire that included standardized measurement instruments on motivation, emotion, and usability. Furthermore, the eight learners of cohort 1 are surveyed using semi-structured interviews on learning, operation and features of the 360° model. Overall, a very positive view on learning suitability of 360° models in VFTs is revealed. In addition, further potential for development of the 360° model could be identified. The results indicate that VTFs based on 360° models might be valuable learning tools, because of their applicability without great effort on the part of either the lecturers or the students. VFTs based on 360° models might serve as a supplement to conventional learning activities or in self-directed learning activities.