Geography Students View the World through Virtual Reality

First year Geography students at Cronton Sixth Form College have gained a new perception of the world through use of the latest Virtual Reality technology at the college’s new IDEA Centre.
Using specialist ‘Oculus Rift’ equipment, the geographers have been able to visit anywhere in the world using Google Earth VR and view the area in full 3D.

Some students chose to view New York and were able to walk around Times Square and even enter some of the shops. Another student chose Sydney and stood on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, while another ‘visited’ the Eiffel Tour in Paris.
Dan Adams, Head of Humanities at Cronton, said, “These realistic 3D experiences are helping students to understand geographical processes with tourism and how areas have dramatically changed over time. It also allows for the students to experience specialist technology which are being increasingly featured in the modern work place, preparing students for future job opportunities.”

One student commented, “I have never been to a volcano but with using the virtual reality I was able to visit Iceland and stand next to one as it was erupting, it was incredible!”
Another student said, “I stood at the top of the Empire State Building and could see 360 degrees view over the whole of Lower Manhattan, Central Park and the finance sector.”