188-5 No Boots Required: Developing Geologic Mapping Skills using Immersive Virtual Reality

Session: Technology and tools for 3D visualization of field and lab data in teaching and research

Presenting Author:

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Abstract:

The geosciences have long been considered an inaccessible field, with field camp being a limiting factor to many. Further, evidence suggests the spatial skills essential for reasoning in geosciences can be improved through field-based training. The development and testing of ways, including virtual immersive technologies, to train spatial reasoning through mapping problem solving skills without the physical, cultural, and economic barriers of travel, hiking, and camping will improve accessibility and inclusion in the geosciences. Strike & Dip (S&D) is an immersive Virtual Reality (iVR) program that scaffolds geologic problems via increasingly challenging geospatial relationships delivered through a flexible, discovery-based, student-centered, approach within the safety of the classroom with a professor nearby.

The main components of S&D are the compass and field stops. Users explore one of five virtual field mapping environments to field stops where they take strike and dip measurements and identify lithologic units. Once the user is near the surface they need to measure, they grab the compass (with their hand and VR controller) and adjust its orientation to take their measurements, just like a real field compass. Unlike a real compass, users can opt to use a feature that checks their measurements against the true values – instantly informing them of a measurement error.

We embraced iVR to implement sound pedagogical practice into developing S&D by utilizing a scaffolded inquiry-based structure that enables students to develop the skills to visualize the Earth’s subsurface and interpret strike and dip measurements. This iVR program was piloted in spring of 2024 with a group of geology majors with limited field mapping experience and very limited VR gaming experience. Performance on the mapping problems was excellent, and all were comfortable navigating S&D in iVR by the second mapping exercise. Students reported improved confidence and resonated well with the ease and opportunity to revisit sites, compass orientation practice and having their measurements checked instantly, as well as having the safety net of the proximity of peers and professor. Students also noted it felt like a steppingstone to develop skills and/or provide experience to others they knew could not access traditional mapping areas.

Having options like S&D for virtual field-based mapping investigations can broaden the reach and accessibility for all students to develop essential geologic spatial reasoning skills.

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