@inbook{a59fc54d5ab14fe3a4db00fe0dee35f3,
title = "Enhancing Students{\textquoteright} Field Experience in Physical Geography Courses Using Virtual Reality Technology",
abstract = "This chapter outlines how Virtual Reality (VR) technologies were used to enhance the field experience in undergraduate physical geography courses in a Hong Kong university. First, we examine the reason for incorporating VR technology in geography courses. Second, we draw on details of the Virtual Teaching and Learning Pedagogical Development (VTLPD) project implemented, including its aims, design, and implementation. The benefits of using VR technologies in the teaching and learning process of physical geography are discussed. Finally, suggestions for incorporating VR in physical geography courses are provided.",
keywords = "COVID-19, Geography, Teaching and learning, Virtual reality",
author = "Jianfeng Li and Wu, {Ka Wai} and Qiming Zhou",
note = "With the support of a Virtual Teaching and Learning Pedagogical Development (VTLPD) grant from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), we implemented VR technologies in two physical geography courses at different levels. One was a general education (GE) course for non-geography students (GTSU 2056 People and the Environment), and the other one was a major course for geography students (GEOG 4066 Seminar in Environmental Planning and Management). Both courses include field trips but for different pedagogical purposes. In the GE course, field trips are aimed to foster students{\textquoteright} experience of the natural environment, and nurture a positive attitude towards mother nature. The field works are usually conducted in accessible countryside, stations or infrastructures related to the physical environment in Hong Kong. In the major course, field trips are undertaken to train geography students{\textquoteright} field skills of data collection, field analysis, and field investigation. The field works are designed with more intensive field activities in less accessible areas. Students are required to conduct field observations together with analysis and present their study. During the pandemic, arranging field trips for the two courses was challenging. In this circumstance, VR techniques were employed for virtual field trips as an alternative to real field trips. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.",
year = "2024",
month = jan,
day = "2",
doi = "10.1007/978-981-99-8418-3_8",
language = "English",
isbn = "9789819984176",
series = "Springer Briefs in Education",
publisher = "Springer",
pages = "81--87",
editor = "Moorhouse, {Benjamin Luke} and Li, {Sandy S. C.} and Sebastian Pahs",
booktitle = "Teaching with Technology in the Social Sciences",
edition = "1st",
}
