Creating a 4D Photoreal VR Environment to Teach Civil Engineering

James Walker, Ahmed Elamin, Denis Stepanov, Matthew Pike, Dave Towey, Ran Wei

IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering (TALE), December 2019

Virtual Reality (VR), Virtual field trips (VFTs), Higher education, Civil engineering education, Student engagement, Sino-foreign higher education

Abstract

Motivated by recent developments in AR/VR technology and accessibility, an interdisciplinary team at a Sino-foreign Higher Education Institution in China developed a virtual reality learning resource for civil engineering students. Traditional field trips, while beneficial, present challenges related to safety, logistics, and accessibility. This study presents the development of a photoreal virtual field trip that allows students to explore the full construction process of a university library through a 4D environment. The experience, accessible via phone-based VR headsets, enables students to navigate both spatially and chronologically through different stages of construction. This paper details the challenges encountered in developing the environment, along with the solutions implemented to enhance student engagement. The results highlight how photoreal VR environments can provide valuable educational experiences, especially in disciplines where real-world site access is limited.