Virtual Reality - The new classroom! Archaeology using VR

Researchers at the University of Illinois, funded by the NSF, have developed a virtual reality-based archaeological field school. This program allows students to explore a virtual cave, modeled after a real 1930s excavation site, containing over 110 artifacts. Students work in pairs to learn excavation, mapping, and documentation skills. The course offers a cost-effective and accessible alternative to traditional field schools, providing experiences that are otherwise inaccessible. The program's effectiveness is being evaluated to ensure the skills learned are comparable to those gained in real-world digs.

What technology is used by the University of Illinois to bring the archaeological field school to the classroom?

• 3D Printing

• Artificial Intelligence

• Virtual Reality

• Augmented Reality

In the virtual cave, what do students learn to do?

• Navigate using GPS

• Map and plan excavations

• Build virtual artifacts

• Cook ancient recipes

How do students work in the virtual archaeological field school?

• Individually

• In teams of two

• In groups of five

• With a virtual assistant

What is one of the main goals of the virtual archaeological field school?

• To focus solely on ancient artifacts

• To replace all traditional field schools

• To provide a costly alternative

• To offer an accessible and affordable experience

What is the team currently evaluating about the virtual program?

• The popularity of the program

• The equivalence of skills learned to real-world digs

• The number of students enrolled

• The cost of the program