Bringing learning alive: empowering the use of immersive technologies
Date 22 January 2024
UON Games students, along with their peers in Sports Development and Physical Education and SENI, have successfully developed an app that provides an immersive journey through the rich history of Chester House Estate
Thousands of years of history at Chester House Estate have been brought to life through the collaborative efforts of UON Games courses and students from Special Educational Needs and Inclusion (SENI). This unique heritage site, located in Irchester, Wellingborough, stands as one of the few places in the UK that encapsulates 10,000 years of human activity.
The UON Games students, along with their peers in Sports Development and Physical Education and SENI, have successfully developed an app that provides an immersive journey through the rich history of Chester House Estate. This monumental task aimed not only to present the extensive historical narrative but also to ensure accessibility, especially for individuals with special educational needs.
The app features two augmented reality (AR) trails, delving into the history of Chester House Estate and the Roman excavations on the site. As visitors navigate these trails, they unlock AR representations of discovered items, including intricate 3D models of Roman buildings and artifacts.
Siobhan Read, a UON Games Art graduate and integral team member, shares insights into the project: “The Chester House project was a valuable endeavour in terms of artistic and workplace experience. A lot of my work, such as the reconstructions of ancient pottery, started out as photogrammetry. This is when photos of objects in the real world are scanned into the virtual world and made more three-dimensional.”
She further emphasizes the unique challenges and learning experiences: “It feels strange having something I worked on published, something anyone can download from an app store. It’s very different from my other games projects. I’m proud of the modelling work I did for the app, and even more so for the work my teammates put in to get it to where it is now. It was a rocky road at times, but we made something we can be truly ‘appy’ with.”
The app is now available for download on both Android and Apple devices, allowing users to explore and interact with the rich history of Chester House Estate. This project is a testament to the University of Northampton’s commitment to leveraging technology, with a particular focus on Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) projects, enhancing teaching, learning support, and making history accessible to all.
Emma Whewell’s PhD is written on the formation of identity in newly qualified teachers.
Emma is a member of the Primary Physical Education European Network group and the All Party Parliamentary Group for a fit and healthy childhood.