3D Virtual Itinerary for Education Using Google Earth as a Tool for the Recovery of the Geological Heritage of Natural Areas: Application in the “Las Batuecas Valley” Nature Park (Salamanca, Spain)

Antonio Miguel Martínez-Graña, José González-Delgado, Silvia Pallarés, José Luis Goy and Jorge Civis Llovera
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Antonio Miguel Martínez-Graña: Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Square Merced, University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37008, Spain
José González-Delgado: Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Square Merced, University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37008, Spain
Silvia Pallarés: Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Square Merced, University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37008, Spain
José Luis Goy: Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Square Merced, University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37008, Spain
Jorge Civis Llovera: Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Square Merced, University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37008, Spain

Sustainability, 2014, vol. 6, issue 12, 1-25

Abstract: The objective of this study is to develop a methodology that enhances the value and position of the geological heritage of any natural area in the world using a 3D virtual itinerary. Field applications of this geological itinerary enable students to participate actively in teaching and learning theoretical concepts in the earth sciences and engineering. The educational resources, which include a virtual itinerary, a flight simulator, a field notebook with questionnaires, videos, and an augmented reality developed with Google Earth, provide a familiar and effective learning environment that can be implemented by students daily using new technologies (smartphones, tablets, and iPods) and can leverage the power of computer games to achieve the objectives of a specific curriculum. The implementation of geological content in an interactive, educational game has been employed in compulsory levels of secondary education, high school, and college in Batuecas Valley. The geomatic applications are free as they can be accessed from existing computer labs.

Keywords: educational computing; Google Earth; 3D virtual tour; interactive learning environments; earth sciences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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