Review 2
Name: Arianna Ramoutar
Website Title: “How virtual reality is bringing historical sites to life”
Website Link: “https://www.museumnext.com/article/how-virtual-reality-is-bringing-historical-sites-to-life/”
Objective:
This website’s objective is to educate readers on how virtual reality (VR) technology can be used to bring historical sites to life. The website examines how VR can be applied to museums and other cultural institutions to improve visitor experiences, and it offers numerous instances of how this technology has been applied to historical places. The website succeeds in its goals by offering an insightful article that describes the advantages of VR technology for historical locations. Readers can easily traverse the content because to its clear subheadings and effective organization. Also, the website offers pictures and videos that support the arguments expressed in the article.
Audience:
The website appears to target a broad audience interested in cultural heritage and technology. The website may be of particular interest to museum professionals, including curators, educators, and designers, who are interested in using technology to enhance the visitor experience. The website provides practical examples of how VR technology can be used in museums, making it a useful resource for professionals who are looking for ideas and inspiration for their own projects.
In addition, the website may also be of interest to academics and researchers who are studying the intersection of technology and cultural heritage. The article provides a well-researched and informative overview of the benefits of VR technology for historical sites, which could be useful for researchers who are looking for case studies and examples to support their work. It may also be of interest to members of the general public who are interested in history and technology. The article provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the use of VR technology in bringing historical sites to life, making it a useful resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about this topic.
Content:
The content of the website is informative, well-researched, and engaging. The article provides a comprehensive overview of how virtual reality (VR) technology is being used to bring historical sites to life, and it explores the benefits and challenges of using this technology in the context of cultural heritage.
The article begins by introducing the concept of virtual reality and explaining how it can be used to enhance the visitor experience at museums and other cultural institutions. The article then goes on to provide several examples of how VR technology has been used to bring historical sites to life.
Throughout the article, the author provides practical examples and case studies that demonstrate the benefits of using VR technology in the context of historical sites. For example, the article highlights how VR can be used to provide visitors with a more immersive and interactive experience, allowing them to explore historical sites in a way that would not be possible through traditional methods.
The article also explores some of the challenges and limitations of using VR technology in the context of cultural heritage. For example, the article discusses how the use of VR can sometimes be seen as a replacement for physical visits to historical sites, which can lead to a loss of authenticity and a lack of engagement with the physical environment.
Design:
The website has a simple and clean design that is easy to navigate. The website’s design focuses on readability, with a clear font and a well-organized layout that makes it easy to find information. The main menu is located at the top of the page, which allows users to quickly access different sections of the website. The website also uses images and videos to help illustrate the points made in the article, which helps to break up the text and make the article more engaging. The images and videos are well-placed and do not overwhelm the text. One potential drawback of the website’s design is that it is not very visually engaging. While the website’s design is clean and easy to navigate, it does not feature any bold or eye-catching design elements that might capture the reader’s attention.
Objectives:
The objectives of this website are straightforward, based on its content. For starters, it is used to provide visitors with information about the Holy Trinity Cathedral’s history and architecture, as well as to highlight its beauty and significance as a religious landmark. Other goals of this website would be to promote the cathedral as a tourist and local destination by providing information on visiting hours, mass times, and other important information. Events and activities are also highlighted to encourage visitors to participate, and the website provides a user-friendly and informative resource for people interested in learning about the organization’s history and role in the community. Overall, the website appears to be geared toward educating and engaging visitors, promoting the cathedral as a tourist destination, and emphasizing its cultural and religious significance.
Audience:
The audience of the website are based for all categories as the website can be used for both scholarly as well as general use and specific groups, such as Tourists and visitors, in Port of Spain, who are interested in exploring the city’s cultural and historical landmarks, such as the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Locals who want to learn more about the cathedral’s history, architecture, and upcoming events. People interested in religious tourism or in learning about the significance of religious landmarks and traditions. Students, researchers, and scholars interested in the history and architecture of Holy Trinity Cathedral, as well as Georgian architecture and religious history in general.
Content:
The information/content on the website speaks about the history of the construction of the holy cathedral in Port of Spain, as well as it uses software tools to grant a “virtual” tour experience through the website, whereby users can comprehensively navigate or tour their way through, in a 360-degree format, as though they are currently physically located in the holy trinity cathedral. History speaks on the start up of the cathedral itself, highlighting what it started as, its original name, the “Trinity Church” as well as it highlights the cause for reconstruction of the church, which was sparked by a fire that raged through the capital, Port of Spain. The information given is not only appropriate for the audience, but it also meets its objectives by being very understandable, easy to navigate but also very comprehensive. Since this website is more catered to tourists as it aims to provide an in-depth tour of the cathedral, the pre-existing content surely meets its objectives.
Design:
The color scheme used on the website is a range/ combination of a white background throughout the page with a turquoise blue and green navigational bar. The font size of the content of the page is 17px with fonts of wonder, Helvetica, arial and sans-serif with a dark grey color, hexed as #3333333. The organization of the text of the website is primarily straight forward, with an introductory piece at the top/head of the website and singular informational content page, with a linked YouTube video and a footer consisting of the website’s logo, buttons, general help information and a simple yet effective website slogan. The text from the content section is arranged in a center wrapped formation, where the margins of the website only allow for content to be produced towards the middle of the entire page. Once the “launch virtual tour “ button is clicked, an informational video log opens up which gives some more information about the cathedral until a clickable 360 degree page is seen, with 3 additional sections which were not present on the homepage previously ( location, information and photo album).
Navigation:
This website is basic based on my opinion and there is not much navigation around the page other than the clickable button used to go to the virtual tour section, the “location, information and photo album” sections and the drop-down menu at the header of the page. The page itself is very bland but it does, however, meet its purpose of showcasing a 360-degree virtual walk through of the holy trinity cathedral. Within this website, there is an ease of accessibility to all of its contents and specifics, for instance, the drop-down clickable menu opens easily to give various clickable options to navigate to different sections of the website, whilst the footer carries the same objectives, but in a more laid out and eye-capturing format. Throughout the course of the website, no hyperlinks were observed and hence, this should definitely be a quality that is improved throughout the website, linking certain keywords to various websites etc. that are both historical and factual and can hence be used by various groups (historians and tourists included). All in all, the website, though it does a great job of showcasing and allowing ease of access for persons to view the 360 degree tour of the cathedral, it can surely be revamped in a manner where it is more scholarly, utilizing hyperlinks to take users to other official resources, as well as its color scheme can be a bit more interactive to keep the users attention at bay, as the common white background feature is more old and outdated and hence, given the nature of the content of the main page, prior to exiting to go to the virtual tour, it could be revitalized with a different font, background color and text size. Once these few additions have been added to the website, it should surely be more highly rated and hence, the cathedral would have more persons coming to it, as well as more interactions and historical events can be engaged and learned by the masses.
Civil War 1864: A Virtual Reality Experience, Full Version
“In the Trenches” – The Confederate Line 1864
Created and maintained by American Battlefield Trust
Reviewed by Georgianna Cooke, 13 April 2023
The Civil War 1864: A Virtual Reality Experience, Full Version is a YouTube video entitled “In the Trenches” – The Confederate Line 1864, with a Virtual Reality experience that allows the user to navigate 360 degrees. According to the creator, American Battlefield Trust, it is an immersive storytelling approach which will put the viewer back in time as they navigate in 360 degrees how it may have looked, felt, and sounded to be a Civil War soldier.
Objectives
In their book, Understanding Virtual Reality, Interface, Application, and Design, William R. Sherman, and Alan B. Craig, defined four key elements of virtual reality experience, which were a virtual world, immersion, sensory feedback, and interactivity (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). A virtual world is an imaginary world that exists independently from the real world (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). This objective was accomplished because the audience was able to experience the battle as if they were there in person. Immersion occurs when people are placed in a virtual space that exists independently from the real world. VR headsets accomplish this by occupying the entire field of view, whereas headphones achieve the same results with sounds, entirely immersing users in a different world (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). The sound effects in the film were able to somewhat accomplish this; while viewers would recognise that there was no music in the combat, ultimately it met the goal intended, which was for dramatic effects. Sensory feedback refers to the positioning of users inside a specific space such that the computer can render changes in positions. Users who move their heads or bodies will have the impression that they are moving in the virtual environment (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). Although the video did not allow for the user’s physical mobility, they were able to move around about the screen in a 360-degree format and view the battle’s surroundings as if they were physically present. Finally, for interactivity to feel authentic, a simulated environment should have virtual components with which users may interact by being able to pick up an item, swing a sword, and so on (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). Although there was no actual interactivity in this video, the user could see the bullets flying by in a realistic manner due to the visual effects. Overall, I can conclude that the objectives in this virtual reality experience were accomplished and very well done.
Audience
The video is interactive and meant for a wide audience because it held my two-year-old grandson’s interest for almost five minutes as I reviewed it. Although the video would provide a good perspective of what the battlefield experience was like in 1864 in the modern era, I do not believe there was enough information to satisfy scholarly audiences, who would then need to do additional research for information as well as verify certain aspects of the video.
Content and Design
Several subheadings appeared to keep the audience informed of what was coming next and what was happening as it transpired. There were also notifications as they posted content, which aided navigation since whenever you heard the alert, you rotated the screen to see where the captions appeared, so you did not miss the action as it unfolded. Some may find the alerts perplexing but I believe they were required for viewers who wanted to read the captions, as they may not always be in the position where they were popping up. The text on the subtitles that appeared was unclear at times, but it was still useful for navigating the 360-degree functionality. The video quality and graphic effects were excellent. When all the smoke from enemy fire igniting items in the trenches made everything impossible to see, you felt like you were in the middle of a battle. They also showed how difficult it would have been for the soldiers to load their weapons while standing, which I thought was impressive. The narration also gave the video a dramatic flair, adding to its authenticity. One disadvantage is that viewers and listeners who do not have the necessary technology may not fully appreciate the creativity of the design or content.
This was evident by some of the comments on the page (American Battlefield Trust, YouTube, 2019).
“4k, 360…YouTube has another level a lot of people are not aware of 🙂 Great content, thank you.”
“These are nothing short of a marvel and spectacularly MADE. And FYI The whole VR experience is much better and more REAL even when you listen to these with a good pair of headphones. Amazing”
“I had my grandpa try my VR glasses for this, he’s loving it. He’s even dancing all over on the floor.”
Conclusion
Many people would be interested in learning about historical events if they were depicted in virtual reality. Given that they will be able to understand and experience how things were more than a century ago in the present day, it appears that many people would welcome it if history could be communicated in this manner. This is an innovative and captivating way of portraying history to a general audience.
References
American Battlefield Trust. (2019, October 25). Civil War 1864: A virtual reality experience, full version. YouTube. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuVHe-0r-BE
Video Title: Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video
Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video; is an 8K 360-degree 3D modern day virtual reality tour on YouTube; of the historic city of Venice, Italy. The tour takes viewers on a guided journey through some of Venice’s most famous landmarks, including St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge, and the Grand Canal. Relevant references are made to the historical connections between the Phoenician people and the city of Venice. Throughout the video, the grandeur of Venice’s timeless beauty is exceptionally explained in a holistic manner, giving viewers the feeling of being there in person. The host calmly and fluently explains the historical connections between people and space, providing a comprehensive understanding of the city’s history.
Throughout the video, a single male host narrates the entire experience as the viewer is able to explore all angles of the different locations visited in the city of Venice. Initially, the host acknowledges that the city of Venice was designed by the Phoenician people long ago. Furthermore, he recognizes Venice as the “Home of the Mystic Mass Carnival” and the “Heart of Romantic Elegance.” Then, he continues by pointing out another significant fact that Venice has been the birthplace and inspiration of many artists from all over the world in music, poetry, and painting; creating connections in the social history, geographic history, and the art history of the city of Venice. Moreover, this virtual reality tour video experience provides viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted history of Venice, its cultural significance, and its lasting impact on the world of art and creativity.
The Venice Main Public Square was the perfect starting point for this 8K video tour, offering stunning views of the iconic Large Bell Tower (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 0:30). As the tour progressed, viewers were treated to a breath-taking view of the Overhanging Bridge (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 2:36), a marvel of engineering that has stood the test of time. Next up was a visit to one of the earliest theatre’s in Venice built in 1774 (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 3:45), that offered a glimpse into the city’s rich artistic heritage. From there, the tour takes viewers to the vibrant Venice market, a hub of activity where locals and visitors alike could sample some of the city’s finest cuisine. The journey in this tour concluded with a ride along the majestic Grand Canal (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 4:55), a winding waterway that was the lifeblood of Venice and an enduring symbol of the city’s unique charm and beauty. The tour also included stops at a few other smaller locations before ending at the Rialto Bridge (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 8:02), which was built as a connector to the Great Canal of Venice. In brief, this 8K video tour offered a compulsive, comprehensive and yet immersive experience of the beautiful city of Venice, from its iconic landmarks to its bustling markets and historic bridges. It is a journey that truly captures the essence of this unique and enchanting city, leaving viewers with a lasting appreciation for its rich cultural heritage and timeless beauty.
Throughout the virtual reality tour video, references were made to a few historical facts that relate to the bridges, buildings, and basic structural functions of Venice to its modern-day reality. In 1600, the famous architect Antonio da Ponte, known for designing the Rialto Bridge, made the decision to relocate the Pozzi prison cells to a new building across a narrow canal. To accomplish this, he enlisted the help of his nephew, Antonio Contino, to design the new structure. Contino created a prison passage that was considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing in the world, at least from the exterior (“The Bridge of Sighs in Venice: History, Architecture, Tips & More.”) Upon your arrival in Venice, it will be necessary to find a place to park your car. It may seem obvious, but it’s worth noting that cars are not permitted in Venice whatsoever. This is because it is impractical to drive on water, as you may well imagine (“Arriving in Venice by Car – How to Drive to Venice and Where to Park in Venice.”) Venice offers many places that serves coffee, pasta, and pizza for locals and tourists to come and eat to their hearts delight (“Where to Eat in Venice – Pizzerias and Restaurants in Venice.”) The Bell tower of Saint-Mark has four faces that correspond to the four cardinal points. It was at this location where Galileo introduced his telescope to the Senate of Venice and to the Doge. Galileo presented his telescope to Doge Leonardo Donato, as depicted in a fresco by Giuseppe Bertini at Villa Ponti Varese. Galileo was able to demonstrate his telescope in Venice thanks to the help of his friend Paolo Sarpi, who arranged the invitation (“Bell Tower Saint-Mark Venice Italy Galileo Telescope.”) Essentially, the virtual reality tour provides a fascinating blend of historical context and modern-day practicality, showcasing the rich heritage of Venice’s architecture and engineering feats, as well as the unique challenges presented by the city’s aquatic environment. From the stunning design of the prison passage in the Pozzi building to the famous Bell Tower of Saint-Mark where Galileo demonstrated his telescope, Venice’s landmarks offer a captivating glimpse into the city’s rich cultural history.
The visuals in the video are stunning, with high-quality 8K resolution that allows viewers to see the intricate details of the architecture and artwork in the city. The 360-degree perspective provides a unique and immersive experience that makes viewers feel as though they are actually walking through the streets of Venice. The narration and music in the video also are well done and provide informative and engaging commentary about the history and culture of the city. The tour guide provides interesting facts and stories about each landmark, making the video not only visually stunning but also educational. One minor criticism of the video is that the transitions between locations at some points may have been a bit abrupt, for e.g., the transition from the Grand Canal boat ride to the Santa Maria della Salute boat stop; which in a future context – can be slightly disorienting for future viewers (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 5:55-5:58). However, this is a minor issue that does not detract from the overall quality of the video. Conversely, one of the strengths of this video is that it showcases the unique character of Venice, including its beautiful canals, colourful buildings, and stunning architecture. The video also highlights some of the city’s lesser-known landmarks, such as the San Giorgio Maggiore church, that provided a more comprehensive tour of Venice than many other videos may have.
This 8K 360-degree 3D virtual reality tour of the historic city of Venice, Italy – was both educationally comprehensive and visually captivating. The tour takes viewers on a guided journey through some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and many more. Ultimately, “Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video” is a well-executed and enjoyable virtual reality tour of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It is definitely worth watching for anyone interested in travel or virtual reality experiences.
Darriah Thompson
Web Review 2
Title – Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Virtual Reality History Website – https://www.mnh.si.edu/panoramas/
Objectives
This website’s objective is to educate visitors about the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the history that the institution explores, gathers, preserves, interprets, and displays. This website page offers a virtual tour of the full museum so those who are unable to attend in person can still examine the exhibits.
Audience
The main target market for this virtual tour is anyone who is unable to travel, both within and outside of the United States. The target audience for this virtual tour also includes historians, teachers, students, and anyone else with a passion for history who is physically unable to go around the huge museum.
Content
The virtual tour is really thorough. There are ongoing, past, and permanent displays.Narrated tours, tours of the museum’s support facility and research stations, as well as some additional visits outside the museum, are also included.
Design
The website is quite appealing and makes extensive use of images to highlight the different parts of the tour. On the first page, the user can choose whatever category of exhibits they want to tour using a grid on the website’s body and a vertical navigation bar. Each area is then further divided into other portions after being chosen. If a visitor wants to see a specific display, the hyperlinks that divide the rooms and displays can be helpful.
The tour itself is really clear, and the spectator gets a 360-degree perspective of each space to observe every aspect. On the upper right of the room is a map of the museum. Although it is quite huge, it may be closed and removed off the screen. Readings that appears below and adjacent to the historical pieces is also well visible and readable.
Navigation
The navigation on this website is pretty straightforward. Once inside the tour, the spectator has a variety of options for browsing. To zoom in and out and alter perspectives, the mouse can be used in a variety of ways. You can also use the keyboard’s arrow keys. Additionally, arrow-shaped buttons and other symbols are available for use as navigational aids. To navigate move to different are there are clearly visible blue arrows on the floor.
Objectives: The objectives of the website are likely to provide viewers with a comprehensive, immersive experience of the space, enabling them to explore and get a sense of its layout, features, and design. The website likely aims to create an engaging experience for potential buyers or renters who may be interested in the property, providing them with a virtual walkthrough that can supplement or replace an in-person visit. Additionally, the website may be used to showcase the capabilities of Matterport, a company that provides technology for creating and sharing virtual tours of physical spaces.
Audience: The intended audience of the website would be anyone that is interested in educating themselves about the history of computing.
Content: The content of the website is a 360-degree interactive view of the property, allowing viewers to move around and explore the space as if they were physically present. The virtual tour includes multiple rooms or areas of the property. The content also includes descriptive information about the property, such as the property’s size, features, and amenities. Additionally, the website includes navigation tools that allow viewers to move between different areas of the property, as well as interactive elements such as hotspots that provide additional information or context about specific features or areas of the property. Overall, the website provides a comprehensive and immersive virtual experience of the property, enabling viewers to explore the space and get a sense of its layout, design, and features as well as to showcase computers systems throughout the decades.
Design: The user interface enables viewers to navigate and explore the space in an intuitive and engaging way. The design of the website prioritizes the visual presentation of the property, with a focus on high-quality images and an immersive, 360-degree view of the space. The website features interactive elements such as hotspots, which provide additional information or context about specific areas or features of the property. The user interface of the website includes navigation tools such as arrows or icons that allow viewers to move between different areas of the property or to zoom in on specific features. Overall, the design of the website is optimized for providing a seamless and engaging virtual experience of the property.
Review 2
The Museum of the World (British Museum) https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/
The British Museum is the 12th largest museum in the world holding one of the largest general collections of world artefacts holding approximately 8 million objects displaying the diversity of human/the world’s history. They are known for having the second-largest Egyptian exhibit outside of Egypt. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many places such as museums and galleries used platforms such as Google to create virtual exhibitions, the British Museum was one and dubbed their virtual tour as the Museum of the World.
Even though I used the word tour, the Museum of the World is more like a historical road map. At first glance, you can see that the site had an easy-to-control timeline vertically to the left ending in 2000 AD and starting as early as 2000000 BC. Horizontally it is broken up into regions from which the artefacts originated, colour coded by region. Each region has a collection of dots in the region’s colour, therefore, showing you where the object was from and the time or era it was from. Any of these dots can be clicked on and it takes you to a web page about the relic. There is also a menu to the far right that filters the objects into categories such as; Art and Design, Living and Dying, Power and Identity, Religion and Belief and Trade and Conflict. This all makes the site easy to navigate for any user, which is great because this site was meant to educate as many people as possible during the lockdown.
This site aims at engaging a worldwide audience, showing them all of the museum’s uniqueness but on a virtual platform. Of course, there aren’t 8 million objects on the site, but the collection is still very diverse. When you click any dot a box pops up with the name of the object where you can click for more information. When you click more information, it takes you to a web page where there is an informative description of the object along with an audio description by a professional about the object and its origins. It can be argued that this process is more informative than going to a museum. This makes it easier for non-historians to appreciate the history of not only objects but of civilizations. One negative could be that there is only one picture available for viewing of a particular object. This means that the object is only shown from one angle therefore we could be missing great details of the object. Even though the system tells you related artefacts when you click any dots, sometimes it doesn’t tell you how the artefact is related making it easier to get lost without a proper guide.
Design-wise, even though it is not hard to navigate it has been made quite difficult to return to previously viewed objects, there is no search feature, and the colourful dots don’t provide you with a viewing history of some sort. The site has a background score that provides the site with an ambience fitting of a museum. Graphically the site is appealing and reminds me of confetti and is laid out in a way that reminds you of notes on a guitar. I particularly find the filter feature good but not great, it is very broad in its narrowing down on the artefacts.
I see many advantages to this site; it provides persons from any corner of the world with internet access, a worthwhile experience. You do feel submerged by the timeline and the experience while gaining insight and knowledge about the past and civilisation that no longer exist. It’s an interactive way of learning that is inclusive, meaning there are visual aspects but also audio options which provide knowledge to visually impaired persons. This site was expensive to implement, costing well over 100 000 euros to make.
Ending this review on the controversial note of the online museum name, Museum of the World. This museum holds many artefacts from various regions, you cannot deny that it holds an expanse of knowledge and objects, but you can question how they acquired these artefacts and the channels used for the Museum to have them and not the Museum from within the regions or countries these artefacts originated, but that’s just the socialist in me.
In conclusion, the Museum of the World is a unique experience that was well executed despite its flaws. Its collection is a great representation of historical and geographical diversity and the fact that it is available to everyone makes it an overall great site and experience.
References:
Cooper, Katherine. “My Virtual Tour of the British Museum Online Archives ‘Museum of the World’: Review.” Voice Magazine. Voice Community, January 18, 2021. https://www.voicemag.uk/review/8428/my-virtual-tour-of-the-british-museum-online-archives-museum-of-the-world-review.
Pierce, Emma. “Museum Review: Virtual Exhibit at the British Museum.” Girl Museum, May 7, 2020. https://www.girlmuseum.org/museum-review-virtual-exhibit-at-the-british-museum/.
Tapia, Amancay. “The 20 Biggest Museums in the World.” Newsweek, September 17, 2021. https://www.newsweek.com/biggest-museums-world-louvre-metropolitan-vatican-china-1629383.
At first glance, this website seems like there is a lot going on due to the hundreds of dots on screen, but it is easy to realize that they are not relevant. The information is divided into 5 sections: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. This makes it easy for people using the site to find things based on specific areas. On the left, time periods are given which further help in sorting out the information to the reader. Each of world areas are in a different colour and when clicking on them, the dots that correspond with the other areas disappear, making it easier for you to focus on that specific area. Moving the mouse is smooth and easy to navigate through the different time periods. The information given goes as far back as 2 million BC to present day. When you click each dot, the name of it is given with the option to click “find out more”. This then leads to a picture with paragraphs of information on the object with the option to play an audio recording of someone talking about the object. A google maps link is placed below the audio recording which shows the area in which the object is from. Each of world areas are in a different colour and when clicking on them, the dots that correspond with the other areas disappear, making it easier for you to focus on that specific area. Moving the mouse is smooth and easy to navigate through the different time periods. The information given goes as far back as 2 million BC to present day. When you click each dot, the name of it is given with the option to click “find out more”. This then leads to a picture with paragraphs of information on the object with the option to play an audio recording of someone talking about the object. A google maps link is placed below the audio recording which shows the area in which the object is from. Clicking the dots also leads to lines connecting to dots from other time periods and areas to group them up with the headings on the right side. For example, if you click the “Dabous Giraffe” from 5000 BC Africa, since it is a part of the ‘Art and design’ section, you’ll see lines leading to other pieces like the “Marble Figurine of a Woman” from 3000 BC Europe. The lines can become confusing if you want to stay without the same section and this can be fixed by clicking the section and the lines are removed with only the dots remaining. On the top left of the screen, there is a drop down menu which allows you to skip to certain time periods instead of scrolling with your mouse. The background colour of the website is grey but does not give a dull feeling to it. If anything it helps the colours to of the information to stand out even more. A lot of virtual reality websites do not run smoothly and also are confusing to navigate so this website was the perfect one for me. Using it actually makes me want to learn because it’s pleasing to the eye and dispute having a lot of information, isn’t overwhelming. This is a site that I would definitely come back to in the future.
Review 2
Name: Shakira Mohan
Title: Virtual Reality History Review
Link to website: https://specterras.com/pompeii-vr/
This website allows you to tour the ruins in Pompeii, Italy. You can stroll down one of Pompeii’s main streets, explore the inside of an incredibly well-preserved Roman home, take in the bustle of the city’s bars and shops, visit Roman gardens, and finally get to know what it was like to take a bath in a 2,000-year-old Roman bathhouse. The website allows you to experience Italian signs that read “do not enter”. They can be seen at the edges and in the center of the roadway. The Baths building is the starting point of the exploration. After a brief orientation, you are able to walk about rather freely. You discover the markers that may be seen in various locations to hear narration or to indicate a point of interest a green circle throughout this orientation. You could anticipate that activating points-of-interest circles would take you there based on the introductory experiences. You will effortlessly glide there from your current position if you activate a marker. Pressing arrow keys and the space bar on your key board will allow you to glide in the direction you are facing. A lot of time is spent gliding and can make exploration a little less enjoyable for some users. On the other side, the ability to move vertically offers a unique perspective. The excellent graphics can be attributed to the use of high-end cameras that have caught the region beautifully. The surfaces appear genuine, and getting quite near doesn’t cause any distortion in the picture. There is a good deal of narration which contains a plethora of information, and it is done nicely. Tan option of two voices offers casual back-and-forth conversation. Unfortunately, you can only mute the voice-over; you cannot pause or stop it. Each voice-over continues to play until you start a new one, allowing you to continue learning about a subject of interest even after you leave it. This website allows the user to interact with Points of interest which are indicated by overlay circles, either with or without commentary. If the circle has a speaker symbol inside it, then there is narration available. You point and click as usual to activate them. This condensed version of the Pompeii experience being accessed directly from the web browser is amazing. This website allows you to have a Virtual Reality (VR) experience without a VR headset. The creators did a great job of accurately recreating the important aspects of Pompeii. It’s fantastic to be able to wander and explore on your own a past that was just stuck in time and covered in ash.
HISTORY VIEW https://historyview.org/
Objective
Historyview.org is a website dedicated to exposing students to the intriguing world of virtual reality by offering interactive tours of historical locations and events for free. The technology utilized, allows students to transport to different time periods and places, thereby allowing them to experience history in an unprecedented way as this methodology is far more engaging and hands on. Students can choose from a variety of virtual reality field trips whether it be a tour of historical Africa, the American revolution or even Sibley’s historic site.
Audience
The primary target audience for this website is students and teachers. The teachers can use virtual reality to enhance the learning experience for students and the students can benefit from this stimulated experience. The age range is between 8 to 19 years old. However, anyone with interest in historical events and the 3D experience are welcome to enjoy the content provided on the website.
Design
Overall, the design of the website is poor. There is the cluttered layout, lack of colour contrast and the old fashioned typeface. The one colour scheme for the header is quite minimalistic. This may work for other websites but since the target audience is students a more colorful and stylish colour scheme would be more engaging. Additionally, the type face is a bit boring , the font size inconsistent, and the letter spacing should be better adjusted. Additionally, under the search bar on the right-hand side of the page is very distracting. The content here would be better suited on a drop-down menu in the header on the home page. Finally, this layout is cluttered as the home page is saturated with maps and locations. Additionally, the colour of the font ( white) in the background of the map makes it difficult to decipher the words for e.g., ‘ AIR FORCE ONE’ is quite unclear to make out initially.
Navigation
The navigation design for the website is quite unsatisfactory. The primary audience for this website is students between the ages of 8 to 19 and almost certainly those in this age range would have some challenges when exploring the website. For one, referencing the header on the homepage , the only hyperlink which opens on the website is the first , titled ‘ Virtual Library’. The other menu on the header opens a new tab on a new website, and this is quite confusing. However, all the hyperlinks on the page are working. The navigation isn’t clearly labelled so users may have some difficulties knowing where they are and where they can go to. The failure of the website creator to include back and forward buttons is another challenge users may face. These buttons save users from getting lost or going down paths they did not necessarily mean to. Overall, the website’s accessibility and usability are fair but when including potential users including individuals with disabilities, it may be demanding to easily access the information on the website.
Strengths
• The virtual tours on the website are free so all individuals regardless of their financial resources can enjoy the content providing they have access to the internet.
• There is sufficient historical content on the website , paired with a real-life virtual environment.
• The hyperlinks on the page are working.
• The colour scheme for the header is nice.
• The website does meet its objective as it allows users to explore landmarks and historical sites around the world. The technology used brings history to life and allows users to feel as if they are actually there.
• Virtual reality encourages users to feel they are more immersed in their surroundings. For instance, under Historic Africa, the African Cultural Heritage in Tanzania provides users with an active real-life exploration of the building’s complex design as well as sufficient historical content on the site.
• The news icon at the upper left corner of the screen is very interesting and fitting for the site.
Weaknesses
• The header should contain content directly relevant to the VR historical experience instead of open links.
• Inconsistent font sizes affect the readability of the content.
• The header of the home page should be adjusted to a mega menu as they are bigger and allow content to be divided into contextual groups.
• The validity of the content is questionable. There is no mention of the website creator and his/her credentials. Additionally, no references were found.
• The font family and spacing is unfashionable.
• The maps at the bottom of the homepage are distracting and are too much, and should be placed in a drop-down menu or on a separate page as they can be confusing to users.
• There’s too much whitespace on the screen. This combined with the small font size affects the readability of the website.
Recommendations
• The header should contain content directly relevant to the VR historical experience instead of open links.
• The website should be more web accessible for individuals with disabilities.
• There should be internal links included in the content itself for users to access further reading material or videos relevant.
• The navigation structure should be improved.
• There should be buttons allowing users to go forward or back.
• The colour scheme could be improved.
• The content under the search bar would be better utilized under a heading.
• A cleaner user interface would enhance the website.
• Contact information should be provided on the website.
• References should be provided on the website.
The virtual website chosen for the second review of the Digital History course is the George Washington’ s Mount Vernon Virtual Tours which was accessed on the Virtual History section of the digital history word press class website. The author of this website utilized a virtual tour approach, and the aim may have been to give the viewers of the website a realistic sense and view of being or visiting the mansion known as George Washington Mount Vernon which is in Virginia in the United States of America through the comfort of wherever the viewer was in present time. The author’s aim and objective were clearly established using imagery as they attempted to edify and enlighten the viewers of the site of this well architecture structure and its rich history which may have been overlooked or unknown to persons including this reviewer.
It was the first time accessing and learning about the George Washington Mount Vernon. On accessing the website, a beautiful picture of the Mount Vernon Mansion was displayed first greeted with an outside view of a large building specifically the West Front of the mansion along with the Piazza and a luscious green lawn which was quite inviting and captivating, however, I did recognize that the author of the website wasted no time as there was also a large white text box with writing giving details into the specific area of the mansion shown in the picture and how the area of the mansion was utilized. Cohen and Rosenzweig discusses the use of colourful images and colour reproductions to aid the success of a website and encourages the enticement of readers of the web page . Through the outlook of this website students and potential tourists and general viewers of this site can get a deepened desire to learn more about this historical building or see it physically.
The site is beautifully designed as the pictures chosen are quite colourful and clean. The author of the site also utilizes pictures of old paintings to compare the old Mount Vernon to the present-day Mount Vernon which shows how the grounds and buildings developed over time. The title of the site is well displayed to the top left-hand corner and overall, the site’s textual layout is clear and concise. The content which the site contained is very saturated which shows that the author of the site placed a great amount of effort in gathering information, pictures and doing research as it gives a detailed virtual tour of the George Washington Mount Vernon, inside the mansion, the outbuildings, the gardens and landscapes, distilleries and gristmill and the library. Nielsen and Krug are of the view that historical websites are to be usable as possible, and a good design helps to achieve that important goal as such this website was quite comprehensive and usable which met the aim and objective to truly edify its viewers and create a realistic sense of physically touring Mount Vernon.
Nielson argues that navigation should be an integral part of the design of your site and can help to unify the site’s overall look across a multitude of individual pages . In further examining this website it was very simple to navigate as the home page had several different buttons. There was a working button to change the language which the site was written in whether it be Spanish, Dutch, French. There was a Menu with the headings Mansion, Outbuildings, Gardens and Landscapes, Distilleries and Gristmill and Library. These menu options all had drop-down menu bars with different sub-menu topic giving a more detailed look of the buildings on Mount Vernon room by room with a similar look to the home page with a picture and a white text box with the information pertaining to the area on the grounds. There was also a virtual tour button which opened a picture which allowed you to view a part of Mount Vernon at different angles with easy accessibility using the mouse on the computer. There was also a zoom in and zoom out button along with several other buttons which initiated a virtual tour and there was also a button to hide the buttons from the main screen. Several of the buttons were also hyper linked as the button marked Old Mount Vernon took the viewers to a picture of an old painting showing Mount Vernon in its early stages. The title George Washington Mount Vernon was hypertext, when you clicked on the title it took you to the official Mount Vernon site where you can book reservations to physically Visit to have an in-person tour. The site was also designed for easy navigation as there is next and previous buttons at the bottom right-hand corner to manoeuvre through the different rooms and areas of Mount Vernon to further explore the layers of the architectural design, layout and materials used in the construction of every room on this historic ground.
This website proved to be quite enjoyable in viewing, overall it was well structured and it considered persons from different language backgrounds would be viewing and as such incorporated an option to make this site accessible to the person’s that do not speak English. I was encouraged through this site to witness and experience Mount Vernon and the author did an impeccable job bringing Mount Vernon to me.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cohen, Daniel J. and Roy Rosenzweig. “Chapter 7: Owning the Past: Images, Music and Movies”, Digital History: A Guide To Gathering, Preserving, And Presenting The Past On The Web. https://chnm.gmu.edu/digitalhistory/copyright/index.html
Nielsen Jakob, 1999, “Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity” (Indianapolis: New Riders); Jakob Nielsen, Homepage Usability: Fifty Websites Deconstructed (Indianapolis: New Riders, 2001); Jakob Nielsen, Alertbox; Steve Krug, 2000, “Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability” (Indianapolis: New Riders), 14.
Jakob Nielsen, 2001 “Search: Visible and Simple,”; Michael Bernard, “Developing Schemas for the Location of Common Web Objects,” Usability News, 3.1.
On the website GPB Education a virtual tour of the Owen-Thomas house was posted. The page introduces us to the virtual learning journal through slavery and freedom through the lens of the house and the quarters. The introduction page features the title and a brief description at the top of the website, in black letter that contrasts the white background. There is also a banner located at the top of the page with an icon of the house. As you scroll down there is a synostosis of what is to be expected for viewers while participating in this virtual tour. This tour is targeted to student and other member of society that interested in learning more about the associations of slavery and the economies that benefited from it around the world. Persons can also learn more about the society and culture before the Civil War. The tour starts off with an introduction video and a walk-through tour. There is also a navigation button to the top left-hand corner which views can us to access a table of contents of the tour along with an information key and a history timeline.
The tour features maps, videos, pictures, and a virtual walk through to give views a chance to fully experience, learn and interact with the history of the house. Upon launching the tour, views are greeted with a map of the property with highlighted sections for further information. Broken down into four parts, the tour highlights the main house, the garden, the Lafayette and the slave quarters. The house and garden link to an image of the corresponding map where views can explore through hyperlinks. Each of these sections are further broken down where the views can access hyperlinks of different part of the house as if they are in the house themselves. Views can also click on each part of the room to discover the history behind each item in the room. In addition, the house map does not only link to rooms in the house but also the plumbing where views can read about the water system of the house and be educated on how the slave masters used to live.
The site also links to a discover page where viewers can also check the archives, read information on the regional economy, the inhabitants, the life, and labour of the people who lived there and the steam book.
The tour is very informative and interactive while also being interesting and maintaining the viewer’s interest. The tour links to numerous videos that further explains what the lifestyle was before the civil war. The spokesperson is very thorough with her information and shows aspect of the environment while educating views about the past.
Overall, the tour is well constructed and thought out. It is very informative and beautifully constructed. The tour is easy to run through due to the extensive navigation embedded into it. The pictures, videos and hyperlinks provide the viewer with more than enough information without drowning the viewer. With the goal of trying to give viewers the experience of being in person, the tour has indeed accomplished its goal.
Review 2 https://virtualtour.mountvernon.org/
TITLE: George Washington’s Mount Vernon
This website is an online virtual tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. It provides users with an immersive experience, allowing them to explore the various rooms and grounds of the estate in a 360-degree view. The website is designed to be interactive, allowing users to click on various elements within the tour to learn more about the history and significance of each location. Overall, the website serves as an excellent resource for those interested in learning more about George Washington and his historic estate.
The main objective of the website is to provide a virtual tour of the historic Mount Vernon estate, the historic home of George and Martha Washington. That aspect of the site’s objective was met. As you enter the website there is a welcoming video that makes you feel like you are an actual visitor of this historical home and its many attractions. The website aims to provide an immersive and educational experience for visitors who cannot visit the estate in person. The site achieves this objective by using a combination of high-quality images, videos, and informative descriptions to give visitors an authentic feel of the estate.
The target audience for the website includes history enthusiasts, students, and anyone interested in exploring historic sites from the comfort of their own home. The site is also designed to appeal to those who are unable to travel to the Mount Vernon estate in person but would still like to experience it virtually. The layout and presentation of the website are very well done. The homepage features a large image of the Mount Vernon estate, which immediately draws the user’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the website. Navigation is straightforward, with clear headings and easy-to-use menus. The virtual tour itself is also very well designed, with smooth transitions between rooms and a high level of interactivity. The use of audio and visual elements throughout the tour also adds to the overall immersive experience.
The content on the website is well-researched and informative. Each location within the virtual tour includes detailed information about the history and significance of that particular location, providing users with a wealth of knowledge about George Washington and his estate. The website also includes additional resources, such as videos and articles, that provide even more context and background information. The focal point of the website is centred around touring the Mount Vernon estate virtually, which is presented in an engaging and informative way. The website offers a variety of content, including detailed descriptions of the estate’s buildings and grounds, 360-degree panoramic views, and high-quality images and videos. Additionally, the website offers historical information about George Washington and the history of the estate, which helps to contextualize the tour.
The website has a visually appealing design that captures the essence of the historic estate. The website uses high-quality images, videos, and interactive features to create an immersive experience for visitors. The design of the website is consistent throughout, with a clean and modern aesthetic that is easy on the eyes. It’s easy to navigate, with clear menus and a logical layout. The navigation options are intuitive, making it easy for visitors to find the information they need. The site also includes interactive features such as 360-degree panoramic views, which allow visitors to explore the estate from different angles. Additionally, the website includes clear calls-to-action that encourage visitors to take the tour or learn more about the estate.
Overall, I think the virtual tour of Mount Vernon is an excellent resource for those interested in learning more about George Washington and his estate. The website’s design is user-friendly and immersive, providing a unique and engaging way to explore the estate. The content is well-researched and informative, and the use of audio and visual elements throughout the tour adds to the overall experience. The only criticism I would have is that the tour can be a bit slow to load at times, which can be frustrating for users with slower internet connections. However, this is a relatively minor issue and doesn’t detract significantly from the overall quality of the website.
Shawn Tavares
Digital History
Assignment- Review 2
Virtual Reality 360 video- “The Civil War: A letter from the Trenches 360 video”
The Civil War: A Letter from the Trenches 360 video is a powerful and immersive experience that takes the viewer on a journey through one of the most significant conflicts in American history. This 360-degree video is an educational and emotional experience that transports the viewer to the front lines of the Civil War.
The video begins with a panoramic view of the battlefield, providing the viewer with a sense of the scale and scope of the conflict. The viewer then follows a soldier as he reads a letter from his wife, providing a personal and intimate perspective on the war. The video then takes the viewer on a journey through the trenches, providing a first-hand experience of the conditions and challenges that soldiers faced during the war.
The 360-degree format of the video is particularly effective in creating a mesmerizing and emotional experience for the viewer. The viewer is able to look around and explore the environment, gaining a sense of the danger and chaos that soldiers faced on the front lines. The use of sound and music also helps to create an intense and emotional atmosphere, making the experience all the more impactful.
The video also includes historical and educational elements, providing context and information about the Civil War. The narration is informative and engaging, providing the viewer with a deeper understanding of the events and significance of the conflict. The use of historical images and documents further enhances the educational value of the video, providing a glimpse into the past and a connection to the people who lived through this important period in history.
Overall, the Civil War: A Letter from the Trenches 360 video is an excellent educational resource that provides a unique and engaging perspective on the Civil War. The captivating and emotional experience of the video helps to bring history to life and connect the viewer with the people and events of the past. The video is also an effective tool for teaching about the Civil War, providing historical context and information in an engaging and accessible format.
One of the strengths of the video is its ability to convey the human cost of the war. The personal perspective of the soldier reading his wife’s letter helps to humanize the conflict and connect the viewer with the people who lived through it. The video also emphasizes the sacrifices that soldiers made during the war, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of the conflict.
In conclusion, the Civil War: A Letter from the Trenches 360 video is a powerful and alluring experience that provides a unique and engaging perspective on one of the most significant events in American history. The video is an excellent educational resource that combines historical information and personal narrative to create a compelling and emotionally resonant experience for the viewer.
A virtual tour featuring the ancient Roman city of Pompeii in Italy, a well-known archaeological site, was assessed for this web review. The objective of this website is to showcase the visual landscape of the ruins of Pompeii in Italy. This website is beneficial to individuals with an interest in ancient civilization, architecture and archaeology.
In this virtual tour, the panoramic view is clear and visually intriguing. The forward navigation in the tour is easily accessible and visible for the average user. However, there are no arrows provided as an alternative navigation option apart from dragging the cursor to move to the other directions of the historical site, making it a little complicated for users who are not very computer literate.
With regards to the content, the location of the virtual tour is historically relevant, but the tour does not provide any indication of this as there are no labels, historical data, or any further information about the Pompeii ruins within the tour. This means that people who access the tour and are not familiar with the significance of the site would need to do research on the location on a separate website to fully understand the content of the tour. There is no information provided about the events that led to the creation of the ruins, the era that the ruins belong to, the people that occupied the space, the cultural practices, the details behind the architectural style of that period and the aftermath of the event that caused the transformation of the site. For example, there is no indication that a volcanic eruption at Mount Vesuvius was responsible for the ruins.
The design aspect of the tour itself is not very interactive as there are no engaging virtual activities provided such as pop-up questions or quizzes, before and after photographs or animations of the space for comparison, as well as artefacts and their uses in the historical space being highlighted. Showcasing some of the past and recent discoveries of historical sites by archaeologists and historians can also pique the interest of individuals viewing the digital tour (Napolitano, 2017).
An interesting and innovative recommendation would be to provide a virtual tour guide in the form of a voice recording to accompany individuals viewing the tour. This can also include pop-up blocks displaying information in text along the tour for viewers who prefer to read and follow (El-Said, 2021). Another recommendation is that animated and current-day visuals or links for videos can be embedded as a replacement for textual information so that the user can get direct access to the relevant information in a more interesting manner without having to rely on external sources to understand the tour.
Overall, it can be costly and time consuming for people around the world to visit Italy as well as to reach the specified location and tour the ruins of Pompeii, so having free access to a virtual tour is beneficial. Another benefit of having virtual tours for historical sites is that it can help safeguard the space by limiting human interaction at the site (Napolitano, 2017). It was a new an interesting experience as this was the first time viewing a virtual tour of a historical site located in another country.
References:
El-Said, Osman, and Heba Aziz. “Virtual Tours a Means to an End: An Analysis of Virtual Tours’ Role in Tourism Recovery Post Covid-19.” Journal of Travel Research 61, no. 3 (March 10, 2021): 528–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287521997567.
Napolitano, Rebecca K., George Scherer, and Branko Glisic. “Virtual Tours and Informational Modeling for Conservation of Cultural Heritage Sites.” Journal of Cultural Heritage 29 (September 2017): 123–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2017.08.007.
Digital History at UWI 
Review 2
Name: Arianna Ramoutar
Website Title: “How virtual reality is bringing historical sites to life”
Website Link: “https://www.museumnext.com/article/how-virtual-reality-is-bringing-historical-sites-to-life/”
Objective:
This website’s objective is to educate readers on how virtual reality (VR) technology can be used to bring historical sites to life. The website examines how VR can be applied to museums and other cultural institutions to improve visitor experiences, and it offers numerous instances of how this technology has been applied to historical places. The website succeeds in its goals by offering an insightful article that describes the advantages of VR technology for historical locations. Readers can easily traverse the content because to its clear subheadings and effective organization. Also, the website offers pictures and videos that support the arguments expressed in the article.
Audience:
The website appears to target a broad audience interested in cultural heritage and technology. The website may be of particular interest to museum professionals, including curators, educators, and designers, who are interested in using technology to enhance the visitor experience. The website provides practical examples of how VR technology can be used in museums, making it a useful resource for professionals who are looking for ideas and inspiration for their own projects.
In addition, the website may also be of interest to academics and researchers who are studying the intersection of technology and cultural heritage. The article provides a well-researched and informative overview of the benefits of VR technology for historical sites, which could be useful for researchers who are looking for case studies and examples to support their work. It may also be of interest to members of the general public who are interested in history and technology. The article provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the use of VR technology in bringing historical sites to life, making it a useful resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about this topic.
Content:
The content of the website is informative, well-researched, and engaging. The article provides a comprehensive overview of how virtual reality (VR) technology is being used to bring historical sites to life, and it explores the benefits and challenges of using this technology in the context of cultural heritage.
The article begins by introducing the concept of virtual reality and explaining how it can be used to enhance the visitor experience at museums and other cultural institutions. The article then goes on to provide several examples of how VR technology has been used to bring historical sites to life.
Throughout the article, the author provides practical examples and case studies that demonstrate the benefits of using VR technology in the context of historical sites. For example, the article highlights how VR can be used to provide visitors with a more immersive and interactive experience, allowing them to explore historical sites in a way that would not be possible through traditional methods.
The article also explores some of the challenges and limitations of using VR technology in the context of cultural heritage. For example, the article discusses how the use of VR can sometimes be seen as a replacement for physical visits to historical sites, which can lead to a loss of authenticity and a lack of engagement with the physical environment.
Design:
The website has a simple and clean design that is easy to navigate. The website’s design focuses on readability, with a clear font and a well-organized layout that makes it easy to find information. The main menu is located at the top of the page, which allows users to quickly access different sections of the website. The website also uses images and videos to help illustrate the points made in the article, which helps to break up the text and make the article more engaging. The images and videos are well-placed and do not overwhelm the text. One potential drawback of the website’s design is that it is not very visually engaging. While the website’s design is clean and easy to navigate, it does not feature any bold or eye-catching design elements that might capture the reader’s attention.
REVIEW 2
Website link: https://www.roundtripin.com/place/holy-trinity-cathedral/
Website title: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Roundtripin.
Name: Tristan Mannette
Objectives:
The objectives of this website are straightforward, based on its content. For starters, it is used to provide visitors with information about the Holy Trinity Cathedral’s history and architecture, as well as to highlight its beauty and significance as a religious landmark. Other goals of this website would be to promote the cathedral as a tourist and local destination by providing information on visiting hours, mass times, and other important information. Events and activities are also highlighted to encourage visitors to participate, and the website provides a user-friendly and informative resource for people interested in learning about the organization’s history and role in the community. Overall, the website appears to be geared toward educating and engaging visitors, promoting the cathedral as a tourist destination, and emphasizing its cultural and religious significance.
Audience:
The audience of the website are based for all categories as the website can be used for both scholarly as well as general use and specific groups, such as Tourists and visitors, in Port of Spain, who are interested in exploring the city’s cultural and historical landmarks, such as the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Locals who want to learn more about the cathedral’s history, architecture, and upcoming events. People interested in religious tourism or in learning about the significance of religious landmarks and traditions. Students, researchers, and scholars interested in the history and architecture of Holy Trinity Cathedral, as well as Georgian architecture and religious history in general.
Content:
The information/content on the website speaks about the history of the construction of the holy cathedral in Port of Spain, as well as it uses software tools to grant a “virtual” tour experience through the website, whereby users can comprehensively navigate or tour their way through, in a 360-degree format, as though they are currently physically located in the holy trinity cathedral. History speaks on the start up of the cathedral itself, highlighting what it started as, its original name, the “Trinity Church” as well as it highlights the cause for reconstruction of the church, which was sparked by a fire that raged through the capital, Port of Spain. The information given is not only appropriate for the audience, but it also meets its objectives by being very understandable, easy to navigate but also very comprehensive. Since this website is more catered to tourists as it aims to provide an in-depth tour of the cathedral, the pre-existing content surely meets its objectives.
Design:
The color scheme used on the website is a range/ combination of a white background throughout the page with a turquoise blue and green navigational bar. The font size of the content of the page is 17px with fonts of wonder, Helvetica, arial and sans-serif with a dark grey color, hexed as #3333333. The organization of the text of the website is primarily straight forward, with an introductory piece at the top/head of the website and singular informational content page, with a linked YouTube video and a footer consisting of the website’s logo, buttons, general help information and a simple yet effective website slogan. The text from the content section is arranged in a center wrapped formation, where the margins of the website only allow for content to be produced towards the middle of the entire page. Once the “launch virtual tour “ button is clicked, an informational video log opens up which gives some more information about the cathedral until a clickable 360 degree page is seen, with 3 additional sections which were not present on the homepage previously ( location, information and photo album).
Navigation:
This website is basic based on my opinion and there is not much navigation around the page other than the clickable button used to go to the virtual tour section, the “location, information and photo album” sections and the drop-down menu at the header of the page. The page itself is very bland but it does, however, meet its purpose of showcasing a 360-degree virtual walk through of the holy trinity cathedral. Within this website, there is an ease of accessibility to all of its contents and specifics, for instance, the drop-down clickable menu opens easily to give various clickable options to navigate to different sections of the website, whilst the footer carries the same objectives, but in a more laid out and eye-capturing format. Throughout the course of the website, no hyperlinks were observed and hence, this should definitely be a quality that is improved throughout the website, linking certain keywords to various websites etc. that are both historical and factual and can hence be used by various groups (historians and tourists included). All in all, the website, though it does a great job of showcasing and allowing ease of access for persons to view the 360 degree tour of the cathedral, it can surely be revamped in a manner where it is more scholarly, utilizing hyperlinks to take users to other official resources, as well as its color scheme can be a bit more interactive to keep the users attention at bay, as the common white background feature is more old and outdated and hence, given the nature of the content of the main page, prior to exiting to go to the virtual tour, it could be revitalized with a different font, background color and text size. Once these few additions have been added to the website, it should surely be more highly rated and hence, the cathedral would have more persons coming to it, as well as more interactions and historical events can be engaged and learned by the masses.
Review 2
Civil War 1864: A Virtual Reality Experience, Full Version
“In the Trenches” – The Confederate Line 1864
Created and maintained by American Battlefield Trust
Reviewed by Georgianna Cooke, 13 April 2023
The Civil War 1864: A Virtual Reality Experience, Full Version is a YouTube video entitled “In the Trenches” – The Confederate Line 1864, with a Virtual Reality experience that allows the user to navigate 360 degrees. According to the creator, American Battlefield Trust, it is an immersive storytelling approach which will put the viewer back in time as they navigate in 360 degrees how it may have looked, felt, and sounded to be a Civil War soldier.
Objectives
In their book, Understanding Virtual Reality, Interface, Application, and Design, William R. Sherman, and Alan B. Craig, defined four key elements of virtual reality experience, which were a virtual world, immersion, sensory feedback, and interactivity (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). A virtual world is an imaginary world that exists independently from the real world (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). This objective was accomplished because the audience was able to experience the battle as if they were there in person. Immersion occurs when people are placed in a virtual space that exists independently from the real world. VR headsets accomplish this by occupying the entire field of view, whereas headphones achieve the same results with sounds, entirely immersing users in a different world (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). The sound effects in the film were able to somewhat accomplish this; while viewers would recognise that there was no music in the combat, ultimately it met the goal intended, which was for dramatic effects. Sensory feedback refers to the positioning of users inside a specific space such that the computer can render changes in positions. Users who move their heads or bodies will have the impression that they are moving in the virtual environment (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). Although the video did not allow for the user’s physical mobility, they were able to move around about the screen in a 360-degree format and view the battle’s surroundings as if they were physically present. Finally, for interactivity to feel authentic, a simulated environment should have virtual components with which users may interact by being able to pick up an item, swing a sword, and so on (MasterAdminStrate, 2019). Although there was no actual interactivity in this video, the user could see the bullets flying by in a realistic manner due to the visual effects. Overall, I can conclude that the objectives in this virtual reality experience were accomplished and very well done.
Audience
The video is interactive and meant for a wide audience because it held my two-year-old grandson’s interest for almost five minutes as I reviewed it. Although the video would provide a good perspective of what the battlefield experience was like in 1864 in the modern era, I do not believe there was enough information to satisfy scholarly audiences, who would then need to do additional research for information as well as verify certain aspects of the video.
Content and Design
Several subheadings appeared to keep the audience informed of what was coming next and what was happening as it transpired. There were also notifications as they posted content, which aided navigation since whenever you heard the alert, you rotated the screen to see where the captions appeared, so you did not miss the action as it unfolded. Some may find the alerts perplexing but I believe they were required for viewers who wanted to read the captions, as they may not always be in the position where they were popping up. The text on the subtitles that appeared was unclear at times, but it was still useful for navigating the 360-degree functionality. The video quality and graphic effects were excellent. When all the smoke from enemy fire igniting items in the trenches made everything impossible to see, you felt like you were in the middle of a battle. They also showed how difficult it would have been for the soldiers to load their weapons while standing, which I thought was impressive. The narration also gave the video a dramatic flair, adding to its authenticity. One disadvantage is that viewers and listeners who do not have the necessary technology may not fully appreciate the creativity of the design or content.
This was evident by some of the comments on the page (American Battlefield Trust, YouTube, 2019).
“4k, 360…YouTube has another level a lot of people are not aware of 🙂 Great content, thank you.”
“These are nothing short of a marvel and spectacularly MADE. And FYI The whole VR experience is much better and more REAL even when you listen to these with a good pair of headphones. Amazing”
“I had my grandpa try my VR glasses for this, he’s loving it. He’s even dancing all over on the floor.”
Conclusion
Many people would be interested in learning about historical events if they were depicted in virtual reality. Given that they will be able to understand and experience how things were more than a century ago in the present day, it appears that many people would welcome it if history could be communicated in this manner. This is an innovative and captivating way of portraying history to a general audience.
References
American Battlefield Trust. (2019, October 25). Civil War 1864: A virtual reality experience, full version. YouTube. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuVHe-0r-BE
MasterAdminStrate. (2019, March 6). What is virtual reality. Strate, School of Design. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.strate.education/gallery/news/vr-definition
Review 2
Keon Doman
HIST2807 REVIEW 2
VIRTUAL REALITY VIDEO:
Video Title: Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video
Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video; is an 8K 360-degree 3D modern day virtual reality tour on YouTube; of the historic city of Venice, Italy. The tour takes viewers on a guided journey through some of Venice’s most famous landmarks, including St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge, and the Grand Canal. Relevant references are made to the historical connections between the Phoenician people and the city of Venice. Throughout the video, the grandeur of Venice’s timeless beauty is exceptionally explained in a holistic manner, giving viewers the feeling of being there in person. The host calmly and fluently explains the historical connections between people and space, providing a comprehensive understanding of the city’s history.
Throughout the video, a single male host narrates the entire experience as the viewer is able to explore all angles of the different locations visited in the city of Venice. Initially, the host acknowledges that the city of Venice was designed by the Phoenician people long ago. Furthermore, he recognizes Venice as the “Home of the Mystic Mass Carnival” and the “Heart of Romantic Elegance.” Then, he continues by pointing out another significant fact that Venice has been the birthplace and inspiration of many artists from all over the world in music, poetry, and painting; creating connections in the social history, geographic history, and the art history of the city of Venice. Moreover, this virtual reality tour video experience provides viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted history of Venice, its cultural significance, and its lasting impact on the world of art and creativity.
The Venice Main Public Square was the perfect starting point for this 8K video tour, offering stunning views of the iconic Large Bell Tower (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 0:30). As the tour progressed, viewers were treated to a breath-taking view of the Overhanging Bridge (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 2:36), a marvel of engineering that has stood the test of time. Next up was a visit to one of the earliest theatre’s in Venice built in 1774 (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 3:45), that offered a glimpse into the city’s rich artistic heritage. From there, the tour takes viewers to the vibrant Venice market, a hub of activity where locals and visitors alike could sample some of the city’s finest cuisine. The journey in this tour concluded with a ride along the majestic Grand Canal (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 4:55), a winding waterway that was the lifeblood of Venice and an enduring symbol of the city’s unique charm and beauty. The tour also included stops at a few other smaller locations before ending at the Rialto Bridge (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 8:02), which was built as a connector to the Great Canal of Venice. In brief, this 8K video tour offered a compulsive, comprehensive and yet immersive experience of the beautiful city of Venice, from its iconic landmarks to its bustling markets and historic bridges. It is a journey that truly captures the essence of this unique and enchanting city, leaving viewers with a lasting appreciation for its rich cultural heritage and timeless beauty.
Throughout the virtual reality tour video, references were made to a few historical facts that relate to the bridges, buildings, and basic structural functions of Venice to its modern-day reality. In 1600, the famous architect Antonio da Ponte, known for designing the Rialto Bridge, made the decision to relocate the Pozzi prison cells to a new building across a narrow canal. To accomplish this, he enlisted the help of his nephew, Antonio Contino, to design the new structure. Contino created a prison passage that was considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing in the world, at least from the exterior (“The Bridge of Sighs in Venice: History, Architecture, Tips & More.”) Upon your arrival in Venice, it will be necessary to find a place to park your car. It may seem obvious, but it’s worth noting that cars are not permitted in Venice whatsoever. This is because it is impractical to drive on water, as you may well imagine (“Arriving in Venice by Car – How to Drive to Venice and Where to Park in Venice.”) Venice offers many places that serves coffee, pasta, and pizza for locals and tourists to come and eat to their hearts delight (“Where to Eat in Venice – Pizzerias and Restaurants in Venice.”) The Bell tower of Saint-Mark has four faces that correspond to the four cardinal points. It was at this location where Galileo introduced his telescope to the Senate of Venice and to the Doge. Galileo presented his telescope to Doge Leonardo Donato, as depicted in a fresco by Giuseppe Bertini at Villa Ponti Varese. Galileo was able to demonstrate his telescope in Venice thanks to the help of his friend Paolo Sarpi, who arranged the invitation (“Bell Tower Saint-Mark Venice Italy Galileo Telescope.”) Essentially, the virtual reality tour provides a fascinating blend of historical context and modern-day practicality, showcasing the rich heritage of Venice’s architecture and engineering feats, as well as the unique challenges presented by the city’s aquatic environment. From the stunning design of the prison passage in the Pozzi building to the famous Bell Tower of Saint-Mark where Galileo demonstrated his telescope, Venice’s landmarks offer a captivating glimpse into the city’s rich cultural history.
The visuals in the video are stunning, with high-quality 8K resolution that allows viewers to see the intricate details of the architecture and artwork in the city. The 360-degree perspective provides a unique and immersive experience that makes viewers feel as though they are actually walking through the streets of Venice. The narration and music in the video also are well done and provide informative and engaging commentary about the history and culture of the city. The tour guide provides interesting facts and stories about each landmark, making the video not only visually stunning but also educational. One minor criticism of the video is that the transitions between locations at some points may have been a bit abrupt, for e.g., the transition from the Grand Canal boat ride to the Santa Maria della Salute boat stop; which in a future context – can be slightly disorienting for future viewers (“Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” 5:55-5:58). However, this is a minor issue that does not detract from the overall quality of the video. Conversely, one of the strengths of this video is that it showcases the unique character of Venice, including its beautiful canals, colourful buildings, and stunning architecture. The video also highlights some of the city’s lesser-known landmarks, such as the San Giorgio Maggiore church, that provided a more comprehensive tour of Venice than many other videos may have.
This 8K 360-degree 3D virtual reality tour of the historic city of Venice, Italy – was both educationally comprehensive and visually captivating. The tour takes viewers on a guided journey through some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and many more. Ultimately, “Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video” is a well-executed and enjoyable virtual reality tour of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It is definitely worth watching for anyone interested in travel or virtual reality experiences.
Bibliography
YouTube. “Venice, The Floating City: A Guided VR Tour – 8K 360 3D Video,” February 24, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zz7M2vLHJ8.
The Bridge of Sighs in Venice: History, Architecture, Tips & More. “The Bridge of Sighs in Venice: History, Architecture, Tips & More,” January 18, 2023. https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/attractions/the-bridge-of-sighs.
Arriving in Venice by car – How to drive to Venice and where to park in Venice. “Arriving in Venice by Car – How to Drive to Venice and Where to Park in Venice,” n.d. http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinations/veneto/venice/planning/to_by_car.html#:~:text=Once%20you%20arrive%20in%20Venice%2C%20you%27ll%20have%20to,hard%20to%20drive%20on%20all%20that%20water%2C%20see.
Bell tower Saint-Mark Venice Italy Galileo telescope. “Bell Tower Saint-Mark Venice Italy Galileo Telescope,” n.d. https://www.visit-venice-italy.com/bell-tower-venice-italy/campanile-saint-mark-loggia-galileo-venice.htm.
Darriah Thompson
Web Review 2
Title – Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Virtual Reality History Website – https://www.mnh.si.edu/panoramas/
Objectives
This website’s objective is to educate visitors about the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the history that the institution explores, gathers, preserves, interprets, and displays. This website page offers a virtual tour of the full museum so those who are unable to attend in person can still examine the exhibits.
Audience
The main target market for this virtual tour is anyone who is unable to travel, both within and outside of the United States. The target audience for this virtual tour also includes historians, teachers, students, and anyone else with a passion for history who is physically unable to go around the huge museum.
Content
The virtual tour is really thorough. There are ongoing, past, and permanent displays.Narrated tours, tours of the museum’s support facility and research stations, as well as some additional visits outside the museum, are also included.
Design
The website is quite appealing and makes extensive use of images to highlight the different parts of the tour. On the first page, the user can choose whatever category of exhibits they want to tour using a grid on the website’s body and a vertical navigation bar. Each area is then further divided into other portions after being chosen. If a visitor wants to see a specific display, the hyperlinks that divide the rooms and displays can be helpful.
The tour itself is really clear, and the spectator gets a 360-degree perspective of each space to observe every aspect. On the upper right of the room is a map of the museum. Although it is quite huge, it may be closed and removed off the screen. Readings that appears below and adjacent to the historical pieces is also well visible and readable.
Navigation
The navigation on this website is pretty straightforward. Once inside the tour, the spectator has a variety of options for browsing. To zoom in and out and alter perspectives, the mouse can be used in a variety of ways. You can also use the keyboard’s arrow keys. Additionally, arrow-shaped buttons and other symbols are available for use as navigational aids. To navigate move to different are there are clearly visible blue arrows on the floor.
Name: Shemiah Superville
Website Review 2: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Vz8kCqGRjQA
Objectives: The objectives of the website are likely to provide viewers with a comprehensive, immersive experience of the space, enabling them to explore and get a sense of its layout, features, and design. The website likely aims to create an engaging experience for potential buyers or renters who may be interested in the property, providing them with a virtual walkthrough that can supplement or replace an in-person visit. Additionally, the website may be used to showcase the capabilities of Matterport, a company that provides technology for creating and sharing virtual tours of physical spaces.
Audience: The intended audience of the website would be anyone that is interested in educating themselves about the history of computing.
Content: The content of the website is a 360-degree interactive view of the property, allowing viewers to move around and explore the space as if they were physically present. The virtual tour includes multiple rooms or areas of the property. The content also includes descriptive information about the property, such as the property’s size, features, and amenities. Additionally, the website includes navigation tools that allow viewers to move between different areas of the property, as well as interactive elements such as hotspots that provide additional information or context about specific features or areas of the property. Overall, the website provides a comprehensive and immersive virtual experience of the property, enabling viewers to explore the space and get a sense of its layout, design, and features as well as to showcase computers systems throughout the decades.
Design: The user interface enables viewers to navigate and explore the space in an intuitive and engaging way. The design of the website prioritizes the visual presentation of the property, with a focus on high-quality images and an immersive, 360-degree view of the space. The website features interactive elements such as hotspots, which provide additional information or context about specific areas or features of the property. The user interface of the website includes navigation tools such as arrows or icons that allow viewers to move between different areas of the property or to zoom in on specific features. Overall, the design of the website is optimized for providing a seamless and engaging virtual experience of the property.
Review 2
The Museum of the World (British Museum)
https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/
The British Museum is the 12th largest museum in the world holding one of the largest general collections of world artefacts holding approximately 8 million objects displaying the diversity of human/the world’s history. They are known for having the second-largest Egyptian exhibit outside of Egypt. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many places such as museums and galleries used platforms such as Google to create virtual exhibitions, the British Museum was one and dubbed their virtual tour as the Museum of the World.
Even though I used the word tour, the Museum of the World is more like a historical road map. At first glance, you can see that the site had an easy-to-control timeline vertically to the left ending in 2000 AD and starting as early as 2000000 BC. Horizontally it is broken up into regions from which the artefacts originated, colour coded by region. Each region has a collection of dots in the region’s colour, therefore, showing you where the object was from and the time or era it was from. Any of these dots can be clicked on and it takes you to a web page about the relic. There is also a menu to the far right that filters the objects into categories such as; Art and Design, Living and Dying, Power and Identity, Religion and Belief and Trade and Conflict. This all makes the site easy to navigate for any user, which is great because this site was meant to educate as many people as possible during the lockdown.
This site aims at engaging a worldwide audience, showing them all of the museum’s uniqueness but on a virtual platform. Of course, there aren’t 8 million objects on the site, but the collection is still very diverse. When you click any dot a box pops up with the name of the object where you can click for more information. When you click more information, it takes you to a web page where there is an informative description of the object along with an audio description by a professional about the object and its origins. It can be argued that this process is more informative than going to a museum. This makes it easier for non-historians to appreciate the history of not only objects but of civilizations. One negative could be that there is only one picture available for viewing of a particular object. This means that the object is only shown from one angle therefore we could be missing great details of the object. Even though the system tells you related artefacts when you click any dots, sometimes it doesn’t tell you how the artefact is related making it easier to get lost without a proper guide.
Design-wise, even though it is not hard to navigate it has been made quite difficult to return to previously viewed objects, there is no search feature, and the colourful dots don’t provide you with a viewing history of some sort. The site has a background score that provides the site with an ambience fitting of a museum. Graphically the site is appealing and reminds me of confetti and is laid out in a way that reminds you of notes on a guitar. I particularly find the filter feature good but not great, it is very broad in its narrowing down on the artefacts.
I see many advantages to this site; it provides persons from any corner of the world with internet access, a worthwhile experience. You do feel submerged by the timeline and the experience while gaining insight and knowledge about the past and civilisation that no longer exist. It’s an interactive way of learning that is inclusive, meaning there are visual aspects but also audio options which provide knowledge to visually impaired persons. This site was expensive to implement, costing well over 100 000 euros to make.
Ending this review on the controversial note of the online museum name, Museum of the World. This museum holds many artefacts from various regions, you cannot deny that it holds an expanse of knowledge and objects, but you can question how they acquired these artefacts and the channels used for the Museum to have them and not the Museum from within the regions or countries these artefacts originated, but that’s just the socialist in me.
In conclusion, the Museum of the World is a unique experience that was well executed despite its flaws. Its collection is a great representation of historical and geographical diversity and the fact that it is available to everyone makes it an overall great site and experience.
References:
Cooper, Katherine. “My Virtual Tour of the British Museum Online Archives ‘Museum of the World’: Review.” Voice Magazine. Voice Community, January 18, 2021. https://www.voicemag.uk/review/8428/my-virtual-tour-of-the-british-museum-online-archives-museum-of-the-world-review.
Pierce, Emma. “Museum Review: Virtual Exhibit at the British Museum.” Girl Museum, May 7, 2020. https://www.girlmuseum.org/museum-review-virtual-exhibit-at-the-british-museum/.
Tapia, Amancay. “The 20 Biggest Museums in the World.” Newsweek, September 17, 2021. https://www.newsweek.com/biggest-museums-world-louvre-metropolitan-vatican-china-1629383.
Website Review 2
Title: History of the World Museum (British Museum)
Website link: https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com
At first glance, this website seems like there is a lot going on due to the hundreds of dots on screen, but it is easy to realize that they are not relevant. The information is divided into 5 sections: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. This makes it easy for people using the site to find things based on specific areas. On the left, time periods are given which further help in sorting out the information to the reader. Each of world areas are in a different colour and when clicking on them, the dots that correspond with the other areas disappear, making it easier for you to focus on that specific area. Moving the mouse is smooth and easy to navigate through the different time periods. The information given goes as far back as 2 million BC to present day. When you click each dot, the name of it is given with the option to click “find out more”. This then leads to a picture with paragraphs of information on the object with the option to play an audio recording of someone talking about the object. A google maps link is placed below the audio recording which shows the area in which the object is from. Each of world areas are in a different colour and when clicking on them, the dots that correspond with the other areas disappear, making it easier for you to focus on that specific area. Moving the mouse is smooth and easy to navigate through the different time periods. The information given goes as far back as 2 million BC to present day. When you click each dot, the name of it is given with the option to click “find out more”. This then leads to a picture with paragraphs of information on the object with the option to play an audio recording of someone talking about the object. A google maps link is placed below the audio recording which shows the area in which the object is from. Clicking the dots also leads to lines connecting to dots from other time periods and areas to group them up with the headings on the right side. For example, if you click the “Dabous Giraffe” from 5000 BC Africa, since it is a part of the ‘Art and design’ section, you’ll see lines leading to other pieces like the “Marble Figurine of a Woman” from 3000 BC Europe. The lines can become confusing if you want to stay without the same section and this can be fixed by clicking the section and the lines are removed with only the dots remaining. On the top left of the screen, there is a drop down menu which allows you to skip to certain time periods instead of scrolling with your mouse. The background colour of the website is grey but does not give a dull feeling to it. If anything it helps the colours to of the information to stand out even more. A lot of virtual reality websites do not run smoothly and also are confusing to navigate so this website was the perfect one for me. Using it actually makes me want to learn because it’s pleasing to the eye and dispute having a lot of information, isn’t overwhelming. This is a site that I would definitely come back to in the future.
Review 2
Name: Shakira Mohan
Title: Virtual Reality History Review
Link to website: https://specterras.com/pompeii-vr/
This website allows you to tour the ruins in Pompeii, Italy. You can stroll down one of Pompeii’s main streets, explore the inside of an incredibly well-preserved Roman home, take in the bustle of the city’s bars and shops, visit Roman gardens, and finally get to know what it was like to take a bath in a 2,000-year-old Roman bathhouse. The website allows you to experience Italian signs that read “do not enter”. They can be seen at the edges and in the center of the roadway. The Baths building is the starting point of the exploration. After a brief orientation, you are able to walk about rather freely. You discover the markers that may be seen in various locations to hear narration or to indicate a point of interest a green circle throughout this orientation. You could anticipate that activating points-of-interest circles would take you there based on the introductory experiences. You will effortlessly glide there from your current position if you activate a marker. Pressing arrow keys and the space bar on your key board will allow you to glide in the direction you are facing. A lot of time is spent gliding and can make exploration a little less enjoyable for some users. On the other side, the ability to move vertically offers a unique perspective. The excellent graphics can be attributed to the use of high-end cameras that have caught the region beautifully. The surfaces appear genuine, and getting quite near doesn’t cause any distortion in the picture. There is a good deal of narration which contains a plethora of information, and it is done nicely. Tan option of two voices offers casual back-and-forth conversation. Unfortunately, you can only mute the voice-over; you cannot pause or stop it. Each voice-over continues to play until you start a new one, allowing you to continue learning about a subject of interest even after you leave it. This website allows the user to interact with Points of interest which are indicated by overlay circles, either with or without commentary. If the circle has a speaker symbol inside it, then there is narration available. You point and click as usual to activate them. This condensed version of the Pompeii experience being accessed directly from the web browser is amazing. This website allows you to have a Virtual Reality (VR) experience without a VR headset. The creators did a great job of accurately recreating the important aspects of Pompeii. It’s fantastic to be able to wander and explore on your own a past that was just stuck in time and covered in ash.
HISTORY VIEW
https://historyview.org/
Objective
Historyview.org is a website dedicated to exposing students to the intriguing world of virtual reality by offering interactive tours of historical locations and events for free. The technology utilized, allows students to transport to different time periods and places, thereby allowing them to experience history in an unprecedented way as this methodology is far more engaging and hands on. Students can choose from a variety of virtual reality field trips whether it be a tour of historical Africa, the American revolution or even Sibley’s historic site.
Audience
The primary target audience for this website is students and teachers. The teachers can use virtual reality to enhance the learning experience for students and the students can benefit from this stimulated experience. The age range is between 8 to 19 years old. However, anyone with interest in historical events and the 3D experience are welcome to enjoy the content provided on the website.
Design
Overall, the design of the website is poor. There is the cluttered layout, lack of colour contrast and the old fashioned typeface. The one colour scheme for the header is quite minimalistic. This may work for other websites but since the target audience is students a more colorful and stylish colour scheme would be more engaging. Additionally, the type face is a bit boring , the font size inconsistent, and the letter spacing should be better adjusted. Additionally, under the search bar on the right-hand side of the page is very distracting. The content here would be better suited on a drop-down menu in the header on the home page. Finally, this layout is cluttered as the home page is saturated with maps and locations. Additionally, the colour of the font ( white) in the background of the map makes it difficult to decipher the words for e.g., ‘ AIR FORCE ONE’ is quite unclear to make out initially.
Navigation
The navigation design for the website is quite unsatisfactory. The primary audience for this website is students between the ages of 8 to 19 and almost certainly those in this age range would have some challenges when exploring the website. For one, referencing the header on the homepage , the only hyperlink which opens on the website is the first , titled ‘ Virtual Library’. The other menu on the header opens a new tab on a new website, and this is quite confusing. However, all the hyperlinks on the page are working. The navigation isn’t clearly labelled so users may have some difficulties knowing where they are and where they can go to. The failure of the website creator to include back and forward buttons is another challenge users may face. These buttons save users from getting lost or going down paths they did not necessarily mean to. Overall, the website’s accessibility and usability are fair but when including potential users including individuals with disabilities, it may be demanding to easily access the information on the website.
Strengths
• The virtual tours on the website are free so all individuals regardless of their financial resources can enjoy the content providing they have access to the internet.
• There is sufficient historical content on the website , paired with a real-life virtual environment.
• The hyperlinks on the page are working.
• The colour scheme for the header is nice.
• The website does meet its objective as it allows users to explore landmarks and historical sites around the world. The technology used brings history to life and allows users to feel as if they are actually there.
• Virtual reality encourages users to feel they are more immersed in their surroundings. For instance, under Historic Africa, the African Cultural Heritage in Tanzania provides users with an active real-life exploration of the building’s complex design as well as sufficient historical content on the site.
• The news icon at the upper left corner of the screen is very interesting and fitting for the site.
Weaknesses
• The header should contain content directly relevant to the VR historical experience instead of open links.
• Inconsistent font sizes affect the readability of the content.
• The header of the home page should be adjusted to a mega menu as they are bigger and allow content to be divided into contextual groups.
• The validity of the content is questionable. There is no mention of the website creator and his/her credentials. Additionally, no references were found.
• The font family and spacing is unfashionable.
• The maps at the bottom of the homepage are distracting and are too much, and should be placed in a drop-down menu or on a separate page as they can be confusing to users.
• There’s too much whitespace on the screen. This combined with the small font size affects the readability of the website.
Recommendations
• The header should contain content directly relevant to the VR historical experience instead of open links.
• The website should be more web accessible for individuals with disabilities.
• There should be internal links included in the content itself for users to access further reading material or videos relevant.
• The navigation structure should be improved.
• There should be buttons allowing users to go forward or back.
• The colour scheme could be improved.
• The content under the search bar would be better utilized under a heading.
• A cleaner user interface would enhance the website.
• Contact information should be provided on the website.
• References should be provided on the website.
Website Review 2- George Washington’s Mt. Vernon Virtual Tours
URL: https://virtualtour.mountvernon.org
The virtual website chosen for the second review of the Digital History course is the George Washington’ s Mount Vernon Virtual Tours which was accessed on the Virtual History section of the digital history word press class website. The author of this website utilized a virtual tour approach, and the aim may have been to give the viewers of the website a realistic sense and view of being or visiting the mansion known as George Washington Mount Vernon which is in Virginia in the United States of America through the comfort of wherever the viewer was in present time. The author’s aim and objective were clearly established using imagery as they attempted to edify and enlighten the viewers of the site of this well architecture structure and its rich history which may have been overlooked or unknown to persons including this reviewer.
It was the first time accessing and learning about the George Washington Mount Vernon. On accessing the website, a beautiful picture of the Mount Vernon Mansion was displayed first greeted with an outside view of a large building specifically the West Front of the mansion along with the Piazza and a luscious green lawn which was quite inviting and captivating, however, I did recognize that the author of the website wasted no time as there was also a large white text box with writing giving details into the specific area of the mansion shown in the picture and how the area of the mansion was utilized. Cohen and Rosenzweig discusses the use of colourful images and colour reproductions to aid the success of a website and encourages the enticement of readers of the web page . Through the outlook of this website students and potential tourists and general viewers of this site can get a deepened desire to learn more about this historical building or see it physically.
The site is beautifully designed as the pictures chosen are quite colourful and clean. The author of the site also utilizes pictures of old paintings to compare the old Mount Vernon to the present-day Mount Vernon which shows how the grounds and buildings developed over time. The title of the site is well displayed to the top left-hand corner and overall, the site’s textual layout is clear and concise. The content which the site contained is very saturated which shows that the author of the site placed a great amount of effort in gathering information, pictures and doing research as it gives a detailed virtual tour of the George Washington Mount Vernon, inside the mansion, the outbuildings, the gardens and landscapes, distilleries and gristmill and the library. Nielsen and Krug are of the view that historical websites are to be usable as possible, and a good design helps to achieve that important goal as such this website was quite comprehensive and usable which met the aim and objective to truly edify its viewers and create a realistic sense of physically touring Mount Vernon.
Nielson argues that navigation should be an integral part of the design of your site and can help to unify the site’s overall look across a multitude of individual pages . In further examining this website it was very simple to navigate as the home page had several different buttons. There was a working button to change the language which the site was written in whether it be Spanish, Dutch, French. There was a Menu with the headings Mansion, Outbuildings, Gardens and Landscapes, Distilleries and Gristmill and Library. These menu options all had drop-down menu bars with different sub-menu topic giving a more detailed look of the buildings on Mount Vernon room by room with a similar look to the home page with a picture and a white text box with the information pertaining to the area on the grounds. There was also a virtual tour button which opened a picture which allowed you to view a part of Mount Vernon at different angles with easy accessibility using the mouse on the computer. There was also a zoom in and zoom out button along with several other buttons which initiated a virtual tour and there was also a button to hide the buttons from the main screen. Several of the buttons were also hyper linked as the button marked Old Mount Vernon took the viewers to a picture of an old painting showing Mount Vernon in its early stages. The title George Washington Mount Vernon was hypertext, when you clicked on the title it took you to the official Mount Vernon site where you can book reservations to physically Visit to have an in-person tour. The site was also designed for easy navigation as there is next and previous buttons at the bottom right-hand corner to manoeuvre through the different rooms and areas of Mount Vernon to further explore the layers of the architectural design, layout and materials used in the construction of every room on this historic ground.
This website proved to be quite enjoyable in viewing, overall it was well structured and it considered persons from different language backgrounds would be viewing and as such incorporated an option to make this site accessible to the person’s that do not speak English. I was encouraged through this site to witness and experience Mount Vernon and the author did an impeccable job bringing Mount Vernon to me.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cohen, Daniel J. and Roy Rosenzweig. “Chapter 7: Owning the Past: Images, Music and Movies”, Digital History: A Guide To Gathering, Preserving, And Presenting The Past On The Web. https://chnm.gmu.edu/digitalhistory/copyright/index.html
Nielsen Jakob, 1999, “Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity” (Indianapolis: New Riders); Jakob Nielsen, Homepage Usability: Fifty Websites Deconstructed (Indianapolis: New Riders, 2001); Jakob Nielsen, Alertbox; Steve Krug, 2000, “Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability” (Indianapolis: New Riders), 14.
Jakob Nielsen, 2001 “Search: Visible and Simple,”; Michael Bernard, “Developing Schemas for the Location of Common Web Objects,” Usability News, 3.1.
Name: Marielle Sims
Website Review 2: Owen-Thomas House and Slave Quarters, A Virtual Walking Tour
Link: https://www.gpb.org/education/virtual/owens-thomas-house
On the website GPB Education a virtual tour of the Owen-Thomas house was posted. The page introduces us to the virtual learning journal through slavery and freedom through the lens of the house and the quarters. The introduction page features the title and a brief description at the top of the website, in black letter that contrasts the white background. There is also a banner located at the top of the page with an icon of the house. As you scroll down there is a synostosis of what is to be expected for viewers while participating in this virtual tour. This tour is targeted to student and other member of society that interested in learning more about the associations of slavery and the economies that benefited from it around the world. Persons can also learn more about the society and culture before the Civil War. The tour starts off with an introduction video and a walk-through tour. There is also a navigation button to the top left-hand corner which views can us to access a table of contents of the tour along with an information key and a history timeline.
The tour features maps, videos, pictures, and a virtual walk through to give views a chance to fully experience, learn and interact with the history of the house. Upon launching the tour, views are greeted with a map of the property with highlighted sections for further information. Broken down into four parts, the tour highlights the main house, the garden, the Lafayette and the slave quarters. The house and garden link to an image of the corresponding map where views can explore through hyperlinks. Each of these sections are further broken down where the views can access hyperlinks of different part of the house as if they are in the house themselves. Views can also click on each part of the room to discover the history behind each item in the room. In addition, the house map does not only link to rooms in the house but also the plumbing where views can read about the water system of the house and be educated on how the slave masters used to live.
The site also links to a discover page where viewers can also check the archives, read information on the regional economy, the inhabitants, the life, and labour of the people who lived there and the steam book.
The tour is very informative and interactive while also being interesting and maintaining the viewer’s interest. The tour links to numerous videos that further explains what the lifestyle was before the civil war. The spokesperson is very thorough with her information and shows aspect of the environment while educating views about the past.
Overall, the tour is well constructed and thought out. It is very informative and beautifully constructed. The tour is easy to run through due to the extensive navigation embedded into it. The pictures, videos and hyperlinks provide the viewer with more than enough information without drowning the viewer. With the goal of trying to give viewers the experience of being in person, the tour has indeed accomplished its goal.
Review 2
https://virtualtour.mountvernon.org/
TITLE: George Washington’s Mount Vernon
This website is an online virtual tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. It provides users with an immersive experience, allowing them to explore the various rooms and grounds of the estate in a 360-degree view. The website is designed to be interactive, allowing users to click on various elements within the tour to learn more about the history and significance of each location. Overall, the website serves as an excellent resource for those interested in learning more about George Washington and his historic estate.
The main objective of the website is to provide a virtual tour of the historic Mount Vernon estate, the historic home of George and Martha Washington. That aspect of the site’s objective was met. As you enter the website there is a welcoming video that makes you feel like you are an actual visitor of this historical home and its many attractions. The website aims to provide an immersive and educational experience for visitors who cannot visit the estate in person. The site achieves this objective by using a combination of high-quality images, videos, and informative descriptions to give visitors an authentic feel of the estate.
The target audience for the website includes history enthusiasts, students, and anyone interested in exploring historic sites from the comfort of their own home. The site is also designed to appeal to those who are unable to travel to the Mount Vernon estate in person but would still like to experience it virtually. The layout and presentation of the website are very well done. The homepage features a large image of the Mount Vernon estate, which immediately draws the user’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the website. Navigation is straightforward, with clear headings and easy-to-use menus. The virtual tour itself is also very well designed, with smooth transitions between rooms and a high level of interactivity. The use of audio and visual elements throughout the tour also adds to the overall immersive experience.
The content on the website is well-researched and informative. Each location within the virtual tour includes detailed information about the history and significance of that particular location, providing users with a wealth of knowledge about George Washington and his estate. The website also includes additional resources, such as videos and articles, that provide even more context and background information. The focal point of the website is centred around touring the Mount Vernon estate virtually, which is presented in an engaging and informative way. The website offers a variety of content, including detailed descriptions of the estate’s buildings and grounds, 360-degree panoramic views, and high-quality images and videos. Additionally, the website offers historical information about George Washington and the history of the estate, which helps to contextualize the tour.
The website has a visually appealing design that captures the essence of the historic estate. The website uses high-quality images, videos, and interactive features to create an immersive experience for visitors. The design of the website is consistent throughout, with a clean and modern aesthetic that is easy on the eyes. It’s easy to navigate, with clear menus and a logical layout. The navigation options are intuitive, making it easy for visitors to find the information they need. The site also includes interactive features such as 360-degree panoramic views, which allow visitors to explore the estate from different angles. Additionally, the website includes clear calls-to-action that encourage visitors to take the tour or learn more about the estate.
Overall, I think the virtual tour of Mount Vernon is an excellent resource for those interested in learning more about George Washington and his estate. The website’s design is user-friendly and immersive, providing a unique and engaging way to explore the estate. The content is well-researched and informative, and the use of audio and visual elements throughout the tour adds to the overall experience. The only criticism I would have is that the tour can be a bit slow to load at times, which can be frustrating for users with slower internet connections. However, this is a relatively minor issue and doesn’t detract significantly from the overall quality of the website.
Shawn Tavares
Digital History
Assignment- Review 2
Virtual Reality 360 video- “The Civil War: A letter from the Trenches 360 video”
The Civil War: A Letter from the Trenches 360 video is a powerful and immersive experience that takes the viewer on a journey through one of the most significant conflicts in American history. This 360-degree video is an educational and emotional experience that transports the viewer to the front lines of the Civil War.
The video begins with a panoramic view of the battlefield, providing the viewer with a sense of the scale and scope of the conflict. The viewer then follows a soldier as he reads a letter from his wife, providing a personal and intimate perspective on the war. The video then takes the viewer on a journey through the trenches, providing a first-hand experience of the conditions and challenges that soldiers faced during the war.
The 360-degree format of the video is particularly effective in creating a mesmerizing and emotional experience for the viewer. The viewer is able to look around and explore the environment, gaining a sense of the danger and chaos that soldiers faced on the front lines. The use of sound and music also helps to create an intense and emotional atmosphere, making the experience all the more impactful.
The video also includes historical and educational elements, providing context and information about the Civil War. The narration is informative and engaging, providing the viewer with a deeper understanding of the events and significance of the conflict. The use of historical images and documents further enhances the educational value of the video, providing a glimpse into the past and a connection to the people who lived through this important period in history.
Overall, the Civil War: A Letter from the Trenches 360 video is an excellent educational resource that provides a unique and engaging perspective on the Civil War. The captivating and emotional experience of the video helps to bring history to life and connect the viewer with the people and events of the past. The video is also an effective tool for teaching about the Civil War, providing historical context and information in an engaging and accessible format.
One of the strengths of the video is its ability to convey the human cost of the war. The personal perspective of the soldier reading his wife’s letter helps to humanize the conflict and connect the viewer with the people who lived through it. The video also emphasizes the sacrifices that soldiers made during the war, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of the conflict.
In conclusion, the Civil War: A Letter from the Trenches 360 video is a powerful and alluring experience that provides a unique and engaging perspective on one of the most significant events in American history. The video is an excellent educational resource that combines historical information and personal narrative to create a compelling and emotionally resonant experience for the viewer.
Review 2 – Satrohan Rajkumar
Title: Pompeii, Italy Google Tour
Link: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7493747,14.4845946,3a,75y,4.76h,80.87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMyanXGhPYuvv-HmFlB-3IQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
A virtual tour featuring the ancient Roman city of Pompeii in Italy, a well-known archaeological site, was assessed for this web review. The objective of this website is to showcase the visual landscape of the ruins of Pompeii in Italy. This website is beneficial to individuals with an interest in ancient civilization, architecture and archaeology.
In this virtual tour, the panoramic view is clear and visually intriguing. The forward navigation in the tour is easily accessible and visible for the average user. However, there are no arrows provided as an alternative navigation option apart from dragging the cursor to move to the other directions of the historical site, making it a little complicated for users who are not very computer literate.
With regards to the content, the location of the virtual tour is historically relevant, but the tour does not provide any indication of this as there are no labels, historical data, or any further information about the Pompeii ruins within the tour. This means that people who access the tour and are not familiar with the significance of the site would need to do research on the location on a separate website to fully understand the content of the tour. There is no information provided about the events that led to the creation of the ruins, the era that the ruins belong to, the people that occupied the space, the cultural practices, the details behind the architectural style of that period and the aftermath of the event that caused the transformation of the site. For example, there is no indication that a volcanic eruption at Mount Vesuvius was responsible for the ruins.
The design aspect of the tour itself is not very interactive as there are no engaging virtual activities provided such as pop-up questions or quizzes, before and after photographs or animations of the space for comparison, as well as artefacts and their uses in the historical space being highlighted. Showcasing some of the past and recent discoveries of historical sites by archaeologists and historians can also pique the interest of individuals viewing the digital tour (Napolitano, 2017).
An interesting and innovative recommendation would be to provide a virtual tour guide in the form of a voice recording to accompany individuals viewing the tour. This can also include pop-up blocks displaying information in text along the tour for viewers who prefer to read and follow (El-Said, 2021). Another recommendation is that animated and current-day visuals or links for videos can be embedded as a replacement for textual information so that the user can get direct access to the relevant information in a more interesting manner without having to rely on external sources to understand the tour.
Overall, it can be costly and time consuming for people around the world to visit Italy as well as to reach the specified location and tour the ruins of Pompeii, so having free access to a virtual tour is beneficial. Another benefit of having virtual tours for historical sites is that it can help safeguard the space by limiting human interaction at the site (Napolitano, 2017). It was a new an interesting experience as this was the first time viewing a virtual tour of a historical site located in another country.
References:
El-Said, Osman, and Heba Aziz. “Virtual Tours a Means to an End: An Analysis of Virtual Tours’ Role in Tourism Recovery Post Covid-19.” Journal of Travel Research 61, no. 3 (March 10, 2021): 528–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287521997567.
Napolitano, Rebecca K., George Scherer, and Branko Glisic. “Virtual Tours and Informational Modeling for Conservation of Cultural Heritage Sites.” Journal of Cultural Heritage 29 (September 2017): 123–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2017.08.007.