Virtual field trip for distance learning students

The activity is the development of a virtual field trip, created to support distance-learning students undertaking a module in Sustainable Catchment Management as part of the MSc Aquatic Ecosystem Management. Field trips are an integral and highly valued part of all courses in environmental subject areas, but it can be problematic for distance learning students to attend all field courses, particularly if they are of short duration and far from their location. The aim of developing the virtual field trip was to replicate in part the experience of onsite students who visit various locations within a river catchment to study and observe issues relating to water quality management. The virtual field trip allows students to view and interact with information relating to the whole river catchment in the form of interchangeable map layers which they can zoom into and pan around. At specific points on the map, which correspond to sites visited by onsite students, they can access more detailed information and resources. This consists of three interactive elements. Firstly, narrative text describing the locations and relevant issues. Secondly, video segments recorded in the field, which allow them to visualise the areas and better appreciate the context of the sites in relation to water quality issues. Thirdly, summaries of relevant data on water chemistry and biological communities present at the sites, which have been collected by successive cohorts of onsite students. All of the information can be used to inform the management plan assessment for the module