The geology learning environments in college generally fall into three categories: learning based on lectures, field excursions, and laboratory activities. Engaging students in these environments and developing their interest, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving ability have always been challenging in college geology education. This research developed virtual learning methodology and integrated it into traditional geology education to achieve active learning in order to engage students in the learning process. Virtual geology learning tools (VGLTs), high-resolution virtual representation of geologic objects and/or the realistic virtual 3D environment embedded with real-world terrains and animated photorealistic game objects, are the outcome of the effort. VGLTs were integrated into different college geology learning environments and were tested for their effectiveness. The primary finding of this study is that integrating VGLTs into traditional college geology education was affirmed by geology professionals and non-professionals as being helpful in creating effective learning environments that can facilitate the active learning of students in both formal and informal educational settings. VGLTs helped address students’ needs in many aspects of college geology education by utilizing interactive and realistic virtual technologies. VGLTs are important because they can help address different aspects of traditional college geology learning, increasing the versatility and integrity of virtual learning in tandem with traditional learning. However, VGLTs should not replace learning in the physical environment since geology is a discipline that aims to increase our understanding of the physical world.

Studien undersöker vad effekterna blir om digital visualisering som augmented reality och en digital 3D karta används som verktyg för att stödja presentationer för ny vindkraft. För att undersöka detta har två prototyper tagits fram för att testa den digitala visualiseringen: en augmented reality-prototyp och en interaktiv 3D karta. Det har även skapats en fiktiv vindkraftspark med tillhörande traditionellt material som efterliknar hur dagens presentationer ser ut. För att uppnå studiens syfte har en fallstudie utförts där deltagarna blir presenterade med det traditionella materialet och sedan de digitala visualiseringarna. För att komma in på djupet hos deltagarna genomfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem hushåll i närheten av den fiktiva vindkraftsparken. Materialet från intervjuerna har analyserats utifrån tidigare forskning och studiens frågeställning. Slutsatserna i denna studie är att det finns flera fördelar med använda AR och 3D karta vid presentation av ny vindkraft. AR och 3D medförde att människor fick en ökad förståelse, högre engagemang och ökad tillit till presentationen. / The study examines what the effects will be if digital visualization such as augmented reality and a digital 3D map are used as tools to support presentations of new wind power. To investigate this, two prototypes have been produced to test the digital visualization: an augmented reality prototype and an interactive 3D map. A fictitious wind farm has also been created with associated traditional material that imitates what today's presentations look like. To achieve the purpose of the study, a case study has been carried out where the participants are presented with the traditional material and then the digital visualizations. In order to get a deep understanding of the participants, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five households in the proximity of the fictitious wind farm. The material from the interviews has been analyzed based on previous research and the study's question. The conclusions of this study are that there are several advantages of using AR and a 3D map when presenting new wind power. AR and 3D meant that people gained increased understanding, higher engagement and increased trust in the presentation.

Representation has always been a critical component in architectural practice and representational techniques have been evolving over time. The relatively recent advent of the digital media is revolutionizing architectural representation. Digital representation techniques are proving to be a more effective means of communicating the design to the client and the collaborative project team. The techniques are advancing so rapidly that it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep in pace with the digital acceleration and utilize these representation techniques in architectural practice. There is a wide difference between what is possible using digital architectural visualization and what is implemented in practice. The research explores the extent of utilization of these digital representation techniques and the challenges they pose in practical implementation. Employing a logical approach to selectively implement this digital procedural change in representation would help in realizing the strategic benefits of these rapidly progressing techniques.