Development and Evaluation of an Application for Exploring Historical Sites Using Three-Dimensional Geospatial Data and Virtual Reality Technology: A Contribution to Geography Education

Abstract

HAYAKAWA Yuichi S., IIZUKA Kotaro and OGUCHI Takashi 2022 2 1 2022 5 12 VR VR VR VR VR In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) technology has been employed in various educational practices. Using VR, educators can foster students geographical understanding more effectively than with the use of conventional paper maps and printed landscape photographs. We developed a VR application to walk through virtual space, and this paper discusses its potential contributions to geography education. The VR application reproduced the Taya Cave (Taya-San-Yu-Ga-Dou) in Yokohama, Ja-pan. This artificial cave contains statues and reliefs, some of which have been collapsed and broken due to deterioration and weathering. A committee working for the conservation of the cave, including university researchers, has been conducting environmental surveys inside and outside the cave. In developing the VR application, we used 3D point cloud data of the cave measured by the committee. An exhibition event for citizens using the VR application was held, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the effects of the application on the geographical understanding of users. The results showed that the VR application gave users a positive feeling regardless of their age, and most survey respondents felt that they had expanded their geographical perceptions of the cave and surrounding area.