Project Plan
What
3 main thematic blocks:
The project work that will be pursued by the team will include a research on the situation of teaching spaces before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The project focuses on three main thematic blocks — space, information, and environment. We would be looking into potential virtual reality (VR) space solution for teaching and learning. We also analyze how movement towards VR space affect the physical space in the campus. Since, VR system is based on digital bits, it is related to information thematic block. Likewise, we will be looking the environment aspect of VR for learning. For e.g. effect of it on sound pollution.
Identified advanced architectural/or engineering problems selected.
The architectural problem is related with the physical space; whereas the engineering problem is related with the virtual space. We will study how the physical architecture of a class can be modelled into a virtual space. We will also explore the possibilities and constraints of the actual impartment of education virtually.
What problems is planned to be addressed by design, what scale?
One of the problems we would like to address from our project is to understand the efficacy of online education during pandemics such as the current Covid-19 pandemic. We will also study and present other possible solutions to online education such as VR. We will study the sustainability aspect of such education system. In terms of scale, we will be studying the entire Chalmers campus, with a keen focus on the educational aspects of Chalmers.
What infrastructure and new products, processes and systems are going to be developed?
In our project, we will be researching, studying, and identifying the possibilities, challenges, constraints of a VR education system. We will also be doing a cost-benefit analysis of such system. Furthermore, we will examine the willingness and feasibility of the system at Chalmers. We will compile this information in a conceptual plan as a deliverable of the project work.
To what extent identified problems and ideas for the project are relevant to the framework of all 5 areas presented in the course?
In terms of the space thematic block, the project studies both physical and virtual space. Our project also deals with information as VR system is based on digital bits. Environment thematic block is also relevant as to some extent, environment is affected by the implementation of a VR education system. E.g. auditory environment in and around campus. Furthermore, we would also like to look into the psychological teaching environment. Likewise, in terms of Flows thematic block, it can be included to some extent as well as the change in education system can affect the flow of people within the area. Resources thematic block is relevant as change in the system can also affect change in the ways resources are consumed.
Why
Project impact on sustainable development
Reflecting upon the impact that the development of VR education on Chalmers University may have on the sustainable development, within campus Johanneberg and the city of Gothenburg, this project mainly relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education (UN, n.d. a). Currently, during the Covid-pandemic, Quality Education is an important topic as the context of education has shifted from being mainly physical to being mainly online and remote. UNESCO is in fact mounting an initiative that, among other, aims to “help countries in mobilizing resources and implementing innovative and context-appropriate solutions to provide education remotely” (UN, n.d. a). We believe that studying the possibilities of VR education on Chalmers could be such a solution.
Though, this project also touches upon the UNSDG 3, Good healt and Well-being (UN, n.d. b). Firstly, as it addresses the topic of working remote to prevent the spread COVID-19, but also potential future pandemics. Secondly, it also addresses the topic of well-being through aiming at creating a virtual space contributing to the wellbeing of its users.
Further, this project may also develop to touch upon the UNSDG 13, Climate action (UN, n.d. c) as it can be a tool for Chalmers University to reduce the emissions derived from transport of, for example, students and teachers through providing a virtual teaching environment matching the needs and demands of its users.
Expected impact on the campus performance
Providing a concept of a virtual educational environment we believe can have an impact on the campus performance within all the five studied areas within the course, both the three focus areas Space, Information and Environment, but also on the two other areas Flows & Resources
Space
Regarding Space, we believe that introducing a virtual educational environment would impact both the virtual space but also the physical space of campus Johanneberg. Firstly, there would potentially be an increase of the usage of the virtual space compared to pre-Covid. An increase of online education could in turn result in the need of repurposing the physical space at campus to fit the needs of students and teachers teaching and learning virtually.
Information
Through introducing a virtual educational environment, the flow of information between its users could potentially be impacted as new possibilities for collaboration and sharing can be facilitated. For example, an increased communication through bodily language could be facilitated as well as easier collaboration with tools as for example mind-mapping.
Environment
As previously discussed, introducing and developing a virtual educational space, based on user needs, could have the possibility of creating an environment promoting the wellbeing of its users. Promoting the well-being of, for example, students and teachers, can make a large impact on the campus performance.
Flow
Introducing a virtual educational space may, as previously discussed, affect the physical space of campus which in turn would affect the movement pattern of students and teachers within the area. Further, an increased use of a virtual space could affect the flow of persons commuting to and from the campus area.
Resources
To determine whether the introduction of a virtual educational space will result in an increase or a decrease on usage resources further research is required. Though, we would argue that there will be a shift in what resources are required. For example, there would be a decreased use of resources such as physical classrooms but also an increased use of energy and VR-equipment.
Interest group
To start investigating the network of users and actors involved a mapping was initiated, see Fig. 1. The mapping of users and actors involved will be continuously developed as the project is evolving and the theme is further investigated.
How
Reflection on our desired work process
We will start out kind of exploratory with our project by working together and have brainstorm sessions to secure that we share and learn from each other ideas, thoughts, expertise and experiences. The exploratory phase will be an iterative process where we will narrow down the scope and focus at the most interesting topics which we want to explore further.
When we are done with the exploratory phase, we will probably divide tasks. In order to secure that we will share our different individual experiences and expertise, we have already booked meetings every week to update each other and discuss what findings that we have gotten so far.
After the exploratory phase, we will narrow down the scope with focus at the “most” interesting subjects that we will find out in our exploratory phase.
Start out kind of exploratory, narrowing down the scope as we go through an iterative process.
Methods of data collection to reach expected results / solutions
First off, we will have brainstorming sessions in order to create key words for a brief “literature study”. The literature study is to give us a better understanding of the present status of the technology and what soft parameters that are of interest for a change of working process like this project in fact is about.
After the literature study and before we are creating concept ideas for this new tech, we will also have an empirical data collection in shape of User research. The User research will consist of an interview or a survey addressed to student and teachers at Chalmers University which we think are the most important stakeholder groups for this project. The interviews or survey will have a semi-qualitative questionary. Questions will probably be designed in two parts. First part we will want to have short sentence answers, and the second part where we will have prepared answers e.g. Yes / Maybe / No or a scalebars between 1–5, where 1 could be Not satisfied and 5 represent Very satisfied. This empirical study will help us and serve the purpose of understanding our stakeholders, what expectational benefits and needs that our stakeholders have on this hopefully new and exciting teaching method. Questions will be like, what values are physical vs. virtual teaching environment contributing with? Would you prefer an immersive virtual teaching environment before a physical? Etc. What areas of teaching would you prefer this teaching method? Lectures, workshops, seminaries or all of them?
Expected results / solutions of the project
We have the hopes to present a conceptual plan of a better collaborative teaching / learning environment. The usage of immersive VR could hopefully create a more collaborative learning space and avoid the “black voids” that occurs in the present digital learning environment e.g. lectures and workshops in Zoom. We also think and hope that one day, the concept of tracks courses, will be expanded to not only cross engineering students from Chalmers, but tracks courses with students from universities from all over the world!
References
UN (n.d. a ). Goal 4 : Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Retrieved 2020–11–09 from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/
UN (n.d. b ). Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Retrieved 2020–11–09 from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/
UN (n.d. c ). Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact. Retrieved 2020–11–09 from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/
