This paper presents the research and educational development activity at Aalto University in creating virtual learning environments for rock engineering education. Virtual learning environments are increasingly recognized as tools to improve engineering education, but their creation requires specialized knowledge of 3D scanning, computer graphics, and game development. The paper discusses a method for creating 3D models of real environments using photogrammetry, along with hardware and software options. The models are then integrated into virtual learning systems built using game engines. Two case examples focusing on digitizing sites for virtual rock mass mapping are presented, and the outcomes and lessons learned are discussed. The paper concludes that accurate and photorealistic virtual learning environments can be developed to enhance rock engineering education and training. This has implications for the future development of virtual learning environments in engineering education and highlights the potential for using extended reality technology to communicate complex spatial data.
Engineering education and training is undergoing a transformation due to the increasing demand for more innovative teaching methods and learning experiences. Virtual learning environments (VLEs) are becoming a popular solution as they offer students hands-on experiences in a controlled and safe setting (Paulomäki et al. 2022). The use of extended reality technology, such as Virtual Reality (VR) presents significant opportunities for the enhancement of engineering education through immersive visualizations and interactive experiences (Onsel et al. 2018). The use of extended reality technology allows, for example, virtual site visits to complement fieldwork and provide access to inaccessible sites (Godlewska et al. 2023). Despite the recent developments of VLEs for engineering education, their creation remains a challenge. Specialized knowledge in fields such as 3D scanning, photogrammetry, computer graphics, and game development is necessary.
The development of VLEs for rock engineering has been studied extensively at Aalto University in recent years (Jastrzebski, 2019; Janiszewski et al. 2020a; 2020b; 2021; 2023; Zhang, 2020. This article provides an overview of the research and educational development activities at Aalto University focused on the creation of virtual learning environments for rock engineering education. It presents a method for developing digital environments based on real locations digitized using a photogrammetry-based approach. This method provides a detailed 3D model of the digitized environment and can be applied to a range of spatial scales and applications. The article also outlines the basic workflow for incorporating the 3D models into virtual learning systems built using game engines and showcases two case studies of real sites digitized for a virtual rock mass mapping system. The main outcomes and lessons learned from these case studies are discussed, and the conclusion summarizes the key findings and provides recommendations for future work in this field.
