Perspektivy využití virtuální reality v popularizaci geověd v turistice (Rejvízská hornatina)

Abstract

This thesis deals with the perspectives of using virtual reality for popularization of geosciences in tourism and the application of this approach to a model area, which for the purpose of this thesis is the Rejvíz Highlands. The main contribution of the thesis can be seen in the methodological translation of geosciences into virtual reality. The emphasis in the thesis was on the methodological approach. The first part deals with lesser known forms of tourism, including geoscience, sustainable and virtual tourism. The second part investigates the perspectives of using virtual reality in geotourism and analyses the possibilities of its implementation. The following part presents existing VR applications in the context of geotourism. The next section discusses the material and methodology, describing the key methods for the practical part. Then, the thesis focuses on the characterization of the Rejvíz Highlands and the collection of information from a multidisciplinary perspective to conceptualize an educational geoscience application. The practical part of the thesis presents the results of the analysis of the information base and the identification of the conceptual fundament for the development of an educational game with geoscience elements that focuses on the process of gold extraction using the gold panning method. An essential element of the practical part is also the implementation of the own geological field research by the use of a prospecting analysis. Samples from the research were subjected to the following analytical methods: electron microscopy, microanalysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The analysis can help to implement suitable minerals and rocks in the VR game, which will enhance its authenticity. This is followed by the didactic transformation of the information and the design of the virtual environment for the application, including the in-game world and user interface. The discussion addresses the integration of the prospecting method into the virtual application, identification of the conceptual basis, difficulties of didactic transformation, and implementation issues.