Re-envisioning Field Surveying as an Immersive Gamification Experience

Abstract

Recent strides in immersive technologies, coupled with advancements in game development, are reshaping engineering education, and revolutionizing the design and deliv- ery of both in-class and lab activities. Traditional experiential practices in field surveying and mapping, which have historically relied on hands-on learning alongside theory concepts, have been supplemented by innovative pedagogical approaches, catalyzed by the disruptions caused by COVID-19. There has been a growing imperative to create virtual and immersive resources and shift towards virtual-based lab designs. In response to this evolving landscape, we present a novel approach that provides students with high-quality field training through an immersive virtual experience. We introduce an interactive web application for topographic surveying, embedded within a gamification framework, utilizing digital twins to recreate the field space. Our research offers compelling evidence that this approach effectively supports practical training, as demonstrated by real-world use cases conducted in the lab setting. Addi- tionally, we gauge the framework’s usability using the System Usability Scale (SUS), affirming its effectiveness as a tool in virtualizing field practice.