Projects

Fuels – Future Learning Spaces

As part of the joint project "fuels," the E-Learning group of the TU Darmstadt, together with colleagues from the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences and the Goethe University Frankfurt, is working on the media-didactic and -technical conceptualization and creation of virtual teaching and learning scenarios using 360°, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) technologies.

Aim of the “fuels” Project

The aim of the “fuels” project is to design “Future Learning Spaces” in which physical and digital spaces and elements blend differently in various scenarios.

What does it mean?

For example, the physical space of a laboratory or locations are enhanced “on demand” with digital information and learning content during an excursion; on-site courses of actions are supported with the help of assisted reality approaches.
360° environments enable flexible preparation in the virtual equivalent of the real space (e.g., laboratory, workshops) and thus more efficient learning time on site.
VR and AR scenarios put forward new possibilities — for example, studying and teaching in hybrid settings in which one can learn and teach in a collaborative and distributed, simultaneous and time-shifted, individual and joint manner.

On top of the development of the spaces and scenarios, the project includes the joint development of qualification, counseling, and support services for instructors and students of all departments.

Project Data

https://quis-hessen.de/

“fuels – Future Learning Spaces” is a joint project funded by the Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts as part of the funding program “High Quality in Studies and Teaching, Good Framework Conditions for Studies” (QuiS).

  • Project duration: 01.01.2022 to 31.12.2025
  • Project partners: Technical University of Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt), Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da), Goethe University Frankfurt
  • Project homepage: https://futurelearning.space

The emphasis in 2022 is on the development and implementation of teaching and learning scenarios in a 360° environment.

Several prototypical scenarios were didactically planned and technically realized or accompanied by the fuels team of the E-Learning group at the TU Darmstadt. All projects have been put into practical use in teaching for the winter semester 2022/23.

The following 360° projects were implemented

In the Department of Biology:

In the Department of Physics:

In the Directorate VII International Affairs:

In addition, the following initial VR prototype was implemented:

In the Department of Human Sciences:

Experimentation: Onboarding design for the use of VR technology

An experimental onboarding workshop was held in September 2022 to gain experience of how getting to know and trying out VR technology should be organised for beginners. The main focus of this workshop was to prepare the ground for collaborative work in VR – from correctly putting on VR glasses (Meta Quest 2) to trying out virtual spaces together in the engage application. The first helpful insights in the areas of room situation, technical requirements, starting level of the participants, immersion as well as the role and importance of the teachers and methodical work in VR were developed and reflected upon, which will be integrated into the following concepts on the topic of onboarding.

Modelling of the fuels taxonomy

Furthermore, the fuels team of the E-Learning group developed a taxonomy that offers the possibility of didactic classification of Future Learning Spaces and finds its application in the new development of 360°, AR, and VR learning scenarios or in the counselling context. The taxonomy model is being continuously developed.

The following video describes the current status of the four taxonomy Size, Tag, Technology, and Didactic, as well as their application in the classification of the intended learning scenarios.

The video is in German with English subtitles.

This video shows mock-ups of possible Future Learning Spaces and their applications in practice. The respective fictitious scenarios are classified by the taxonomy.

The video is in German.

In 2023, the emphasis was on the development and implementation of teaching and learning scenarios using augmented reality (AR).

In addition, the focus was on developing a tool for the low-threshold integration of 3D objects in AR environments for teaching.

The following AR projects were implemented

Further 360° projects were also implemented:

Within the fuels Team of the E-Learning Group:

In the Department of Biology:

  • Digital 360° – VR lab tour
    The Merck – TU Darmstadt learning laboratory of the Department of Biology can now be visited virtually as a 360° application not only via the PC desktop, but also via a VR headset.

In the Department of Human Sciences:

Learn more about the Implementation

Digital 360° Learning Environments
Digital 360° Learning Environments
Augmented Reality (AR) Learning Environments
Augmented Reality (AR) Learning Environments
Virtual Reality (VR) Learning Environments
Virtual Reality (VR) Learning Environments

Get Inspired!

Collection of examples from teaching practice at TU Darmstadt in which Future Learning Spaces have been developed in digital 360° learning environments, in VR or with AR.

Community: 360°, AR, VR

Are you interested in 360°, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) in teaching, are you planning in this direction or don't yet know how to get started with the topic? Do you want to network with others who are also interested in the topic? – Then become part of the "Community 360°, AR, VR"! This is a network of players who share experience and knowledge and explore synergies. Two network meetings take place every year. The associated community course in Moodle also provides the opportunity to exchange ideas at any time.

Learn more