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2.6 Transfer
After the finalisation of the learning concept, recommendations for the VR-Mine’s use in
teaching will be given. Beyond the end of the project, the long-term effectiveness of the
project results is to be tested by consolidating the learning concept in the teaching of the
afore-mentioned courses and by a curricular anchoring. A dissemination of the project
results is anticipated to lead to further applications and developments of the findings in
relevant courses of other universities.
3 RESULTS
The presented approach combines didactic teaching concepts with a VR application in graduate mining engineering education. The level of detail and realism as well as the design for
self-learning is unique so far. The components of the VR-Mine are divided into three areas:
thematic content, technical design and didactic concept.
3.1 Thematic content
The two selected courses ‘principles of underground mining’ and ‘health and safety’ have
been identified as courses where the use of VR is sensible and offers added value. The content
is divided into 12 different chapters in a storyline. The user can either experience the entire
content chronologically in a coherent story or select a specific chapter from the interface. The
storyline has several decision points at which the user’s decision influences further actions.
An example of the interactive structure is given in Figure 3.
The chapter related to principles of underground mining presents the underground blasting cycle. Here, the user has the possibility to choose between different drill patterns, types
of explosives, drill hole fillings, detonators (see Figure 3), and drill hole parameters. Each
decision option is stored together with the necessary technical information and influences the
digitally displayed blasting result which then can be examined virtually and again is stored
with information of the origin. Additionally, the user can repeat the operation at will to optimise the outcome. The course health and safety contains the factors influencing productivity,
and occupational health and safety. In addition, hazard assessments and safety-conscious
behaviour are focussed topics. Case study examples of accidents are incorporated to learn
about their course and discuss possible measures to prevent similar accidents.
3.2 Technical design
The choice of hardware considers the required high degree of realism, immersion and interaction. The VR-Mine is presented with high-quality 3D graphics including large-sized models (see Figure 4) with different interactions taking place between the user and the models.
Based on these different reasons, the VR-Mine is being development to run on a high-end
PC-based HMD. The Oculus Rift was chosen as HMD with a resolution of 2160 × 1200
and a 90 Hz refresh rate. The Oculus touch controllers conform the hand and allow finger
Figure 3. Interactive process of selecting a suitable detonator.
Move towards
detonating fuse and
boosters
Click on electronic
detonator
Click on electric
detonators
Click on no n electric
systems
Grab detonator and
store in inventory
2.6 Transfer
After the finalisation of the learning concept, recommendations for the VR-Mine’s use in
teaching will be given. Beyond the end of the project, the long-term effectiveness of the
project results is to be tested by consolidating the learning concept in the teaching of the
afore-mentioned courses and by a curricular anchoring. A dissemination of the project
results is anticipated to lead to further applications and developments of the findings in
relevant courses of other universities.
3 RESULTS
The presented approach combines didactic teaching concepts with a VR application in graduate mining engineering education. The level of detail and realism as well as the design for
self-learning is unique so far. The components of the VR-Mine are divided into three areas:
thematic content, technical design and didactic concept.
3.1 Thematic content
The two selected courses ‘principles of underground mining’ and ‘health and safety’ have
been identified as courses where the use of VR is sensible and offers added value. The content
is divided into 12 different chapters in a storyline. The user can either experience the entire
content chronologically in a coherent story or select a specific chapter from the interface. The
storyline has several decision points at which the user’s decision influences further actions.
An example of the interactive structure is given in Figure 3.
The chapter related to principles of underground mining presents the underground blasting cycle. Here, the user has the possibility to choose between different drill patterns, types
of explosives, drill hole fillings, detonators (see Figure 3), and drill hole parameters. Each
decision option is stored together with the necessary technical information and influences the
digitally displayed blasting result which then can be examined virtually and again is stored
with information of the origin. Additionally, the user can repeat the operation at will to optimise the outcome. The course health and safety contains the factors influencing productivity,
and occupational health and safety. In addition, hazard assessments and safety-conscious
behaviour are focussed topics. Case study examples of accidents are incorporated to learn
about their course and discuss possible measures to prevent similar accidents.
3.2 Technical design
The choice of hardware considers the required high degree of realism, immersion and interaction. The VR-Mine is presented with high-quality 3D graphics including large-sized models (see Figure 4) with different interactions taking place between the user and the models.
Based on these different reasons, the VR-Mine is being development to run on a high-end
PC-based HMD. The Oculus Rift was chosen as HMD with a resolution of 2160 × 1200
and a 90 Hz refresh rate. The Oculus touch controllers conform the hand and allow finger
Figure 3. Interactive process of selecting a suitable detonator.
Move towards
detonating fuse and
boosters
Click on electronic
detonator
Click on electric
detonators
Click on no n electric
systems
Grab detonator and
store in inventory