Using Virtual Reality in the Learning of Geomatic Engineering Education

• Published in: IEEE computer graphics and applications Vol. 44; no. 6; pp. 77 - 88
• Main Authors: Perez-Martin, Enrique, Medina, Serafin Lopez-Cuervo, Herrero-Tejedor, Tomas R., Ezquerra-Canalejo, Alejandra, Lopez-Fernandez, Daniel
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States IEEE 01.11.2024; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Educational programs; Educational technology; Engineering education; Geomagnetism; Geospatial analysis; Headphones; Instruments; Knowledge acquisition; Learning; Learning systems; Solid modeling; Students; Surveys; Tracking; Virtual environments; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 0272-1716; 1558-1756; 1558-1756
• DOI: 10.1109/MCG.2024.3507284

Emerging technologies can be effective in enhancing the teaching–learning process. In this article, virtual reality (VR) is used as a tool to support learning and skill acquisition in a subject of geomatics in an engineering degree. The developed tool is an immersive virtual environment that allows access to a first-person observation of the methodology to be followed in the field to carry out the proposed task. In order to validate this tool, a quasi-experiment was performed involving 170 students and several instruments to assess the knowledge acquisition of these students and their perceptions toward the learning experience. The obtained results indicate that the use of VR in the field of geomatics may be a promising means of conveying new knowledge and enhancing learning and competence acquisition in geomatics.