VFE MOSAIC - STUDENT AND TEACHER DRIVEN VIRTUAL FIELD ENVIRONMENT CONSTRUCTION

A virtual field environment (VFE) is a digital portal to an actual field site designed in such a way that the user can explore the virtual environment as they would explore the physical environment. As the technology for portraying these environments improves and becomes more accessible to the average geoscience classroom, they can be used as proxy field experience when getting to a real site is not possible, for preparing students for fieldwork, and for reviewing students’ field experiences. While geoscience educators are increasingly recognizing the merit of using VFEs for these purposes, the educational value of engaging students and teachers in their design and construction is still largely unexplored territory.

This digital poster is a mosaic of VFE projects that were designed and constructed in part by college students and K-12 teachers. Several of these projects were developed in collaboration with researchers and public agencies. Another was developed as part of a ReaL Earth Inquiry workshop in which participants were introduced to the techniques and pedagogy of VFE construction. All these VFE projects, which are still works in progress, illustrate the accomplishments of technological novices can when given affordable, user-friendly technology for VFE construction, as well as demonstrate the potential for field learning and the challenges of doing so.