DIGITAL LIBRARY
MVGEOPARK 360º - THE DIGITAL TO TEACH BIODIVERSITY, GEODIVERSITY, HISTORIC AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
1 Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, R&D Unit in Digital Services, Applications and Content (PORTUGAL)
2 Geopark Naturtejo Mundial da UNESCO (PORTUGAL)
3 ESTCB-IPCB (PORTUGAL)
About this paper:
Appears in: INTED2023 Proceedings
Publication year: 2023
Pages: 3079-3087
ISBN: 978-84-09-49026-4
ISSN: 2340-1079
doi: 10.21125/inted.2023.0855
Conference name: 17th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
Dates: 6-8 March, 2023
Location: Valencia, Spain
Abstract:
In Naturtejo Geopark the viewpoints are privileged places to observe Biodiversity, Geodiversity and Historical and Cultural Heritage, with great patrimonial value and great educational and touristic potential. Many times the access to these places is not prepared for all types of public and situations like the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of alternative tools for remote visits.

In this article we discuss the importance of using virtual tours in a school context as a learning tool and present a solution for an online virtual tour to the 12 viewpoints of Naturtejo (MVGeopark 360º), with information about the main points of interest to be observed and the possibility to navigate between the viewpoints and associate the virtual presence of a Naturtejo geologist who explains the concepts and observable activities in the application.

The MVGeopark 360º application is the innovative, flexible, and customizable educational solution, aimed at all students and institutions who want to learn about the geopark's biodiversity and historical heritage. Built to measure and in close collaboration with geologists, the MVGeopark 360º is a solution adapted to each territorial context, which contributes to educational success, training, and consolidation of knowledge in the implementation of the structuring principles of the Profile of Students for the 21st Century.
Keywords:
Virtual Tours, Viewpoints, Tourism, Naturtejo, Accessibility, Virtual Learning.