DRAGON Ruhr.nrw: reducing barriers in geosciences and civil engineering education through digital innovation

In geosciences and civil engineering, a key aspect of professional expertise is gaining experience in perceiving and understanding the three-dimensional interactions within the subsurface, as well as between the subsurface and structures, as part of a complex catalogue of competencies. This is typically achieved through geological fieldwork, mapping, and site inspections. However, students facing various challenges—such as those related to socio-cultural status, insufficient financial resources, or physical and mental impairments—may not benefit equally from educational field programs. Additionally, the number of participants in fieldwork is often limited due to factors like safety regulations, and some teaching content is only temporarily available, especially in the context of construction sites, or may be inaccessible.

DRAGON Ruhr.nrw is an interdisciplinary teaching project aimed at reducing barriers to fieldwork at the nexus of engineering geology and civil engineering by offering digital teaching content.

We have developed a contextualized catalogue of regular and 360° videos, 3D models, games, animations, and digital lectures. In addition to digitally guided recordings of outcrops and sites via 360° tours, samples, and tools, augmented reality (AR) elements and 3D virtual reality (VR) experiences are incorporated. A video game was created to collect discontinuity data from a digitized outcrop, and a VR game guides users through the excavations of an abandoned mine.

The content created within DRAGON Ruhr.nrw complements regular classes and field courses by providing high-quality supplementary teaching materials. It enhances accessibility for a diverse audience, helps to prevent potential discrimination in the curriculum, attracts prospective students, and can be used by authorities or as part of professional training.