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Stott, TA (2015) Design, Development and Evaluation of VirtualAlps 2.0: A Semantic Web Based Virtual Field Guide for teaching Level 6 Geoscience. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Education and eLearning (EeL 2015) . pp. 124-128. (Fifth International Conference on Education and eLearning (EeL 2015), 14th-15th September 2015, Bangkok, Thailand).
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STOTT 2015 Evaluating VFGs Education and E-Learning Conference Bankok 14-15-Sep-15.pdf - Accepted Version Download (448kB) | Preview |
Abstract
This paper draws on experiences of designing, developing, using and evaluating a semantic web-based Virtual Field Guide (VFG), VirtualAlps 2.0, for teaching geosciences. The paper briefly reviews the previous use of VFGs to support students’ learning by fieldwork, highlighting some benefits. VFGs are considered to supplement real fieldwork, but not to become a substitute for it. We then outline the design considerations, development and staff and student evaluation of the Virtual Alps 2.0 VFG developed for level 6 undergraduates. The design and development of Virtual Alps 2.0 was undertaken by experts who were part of the Ensemble Project at Liverpool John Moores University. This paper describes the development of a pilot VFG which employs ‘linked data’ and ‘semantic web’ approaches to allow students to access diverse web-based resources, to explore the relations between them, and to then draw on these in the course of more authentic assessment activities than has hitherto been the case. The new assessment for which the VFG was developed, required students to assess the social, environmental and economic costs and benefits of a proposed hydro-electric reservoir in a Swiss Alpine Valley. The VFG provided students with real environmental data, maps, photographs, video and links to relevant research papers which students used to make interpretations and draw their conclusions about the feasibility of such a scheme. Their answers were then subjected to analysis and students’ work from the assessment task based on VirtualAlps 2.0 demonstrated a wider range of skills (performing calculations, drawing graphs & diagrams themselves, creating more tabulations and making more opinions/decisions) than in a traditional essay which had been the assessment task set in previous years. This study shows the potential to use specifically designed interactive ‘Web 2.0' innovations to enhance students’ decision making skills in an assessment which we argue prepares them better for employment. Geoscience and the world of employment for geoscientists is in a state of flux at present, and the ability to work using linked data and semantic web approaches is now an important skill for graduates to be able to offer.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software |
| Divisions: | Sport Studies, Leisure & Nutrition (closed 31 Aug 19) |
| Publisher: | Global Science and Technology Forum |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Aug 2016 14:10 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Apr 2022 15:14 |
| URI: | https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/2787 |
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