About me
I’m a Physical Geographer at the University of Worcester, where I’ve worked for many years. My specialisms are in mountain glaciation, particularly Younger Dryas glaciation in the English Lake District. I’ve held various roles, including Geography Course Leader, Head of Geography and Archaeology, and Deputy Head of School. I’m also a Staff Governor at the University.
I am interested in both the technology and pedagogy associated virtual fieldwork, but with a clear bias towards how it is used in teaching. I’ve been involved in virtual fieldwork development since 2005, working with colleagues (notably Ian Maddock and Alan Dixon) to develop various online resources for our students. These include: Mountain Hazard Mapping Virtual Field Course (2005), Roseg Valley Virtual Hike (2009), Virtual Metu (western Highlands, Ethiopia) (2009), Pasture Beck and Hayeswater Valleys, Lake District (2010), Deepdale, Lake District (2014).
Ian and I have also collaborated with the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis, to develop virtual fieldwork resources for Tuolumne Meadows, Lyell Canyon and Big Pine (2013 – 2016).
In the next 12 – 24 months, I’m looking to add video captured by drones and other devices, including equipment capable of capturing 360 degree videos. I would also like to develop additional learning materials (e.g. worksheets) for schools and the general public. Other items on the to-do list include exploring the use of head-mounted displays (starting with the Oculus Quest) and investigating the effectiveness of virtual fieldwork for learners (I’m sure context will be everything here!).
If you would like to get involved with this work, please do get in touch.
Des McDougall
Worcester, UK.
August 2019
Until now, all the virtual field trips on VR Glaciers have been self-guided. That is, they are provided without interpretation. I have taken this approach because it provides the flexibility for the same virtual field trip to be used in different ways. During the pandemic, for example, I heard how the Arolla virtual field trip
After something of a hiatus due to the pandemic, I’m pleased to announce that there will be two new virtual field trips added to the site soon. One is a guided virtual field trip to Cwm Idwal (Snowdonia National Park, North Wales), which has been produced in collaboration with Dr Lynda Yorke (Bangor). This will
In order to support the ongoing development of this site, it would be really helpful if you could let me know why and how you use the resource. I’d also appreciate hearing any ideas you may have for improvements. Thank you!
© VR Glaciers and Glaciated Landscapes by Derek McDougall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License.
2018 – 2024