Geology field trip app launch is a resounding success
22 Aug 2013
On 15 August, a coachload of enthusiastic people, comprising both University staff and members of the public, embarked on a trip to Castleton in the Peak District to test out the new Discovery Geology App created in a collaboration between the School of Earth Sciences, the Manchester Museum, MIMAS and EPS eLearning.
Using Augmented Reality technology, the app provides not just directions for various routes around the chosen location, but also a ‘feature finder’ which points out otherwise unnoticed fossils, oil deposits and minerals, a compass to help get your bearings, geological diagrams and the option of an audio commentary.
The launch was a unanimous success with the testers of the app being impressed with both its content and ease of use. Complimentary comments blogged after the event included:
“This is one of the best constructed and useable apps that I have seen in a long time.”
“I would have loved to have had this available to me during my time at university; it would have been extremely helpful on our numerous field trips.”
Louise Egan, MIMAS Marketing and Communications, said, “This is a great way to capture how working collaboratively and sharing skills and knowledge, benefits not only the University, but the general public also.”
There are plans to expand the content of the app to include other field trip locations, all of which will be made freely available to anyone who wishes to use it.
You can now get a taste of the future of field trips via Junaio: search for ‘Discover Geology’ after you open the app and enhance your walking experience!
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