Digital Immersive Tools in Year 12 Ancient History

As part of the 12 Ancient History Revision Master Class Series students experienced the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum through immersive digital learning tools to critically examine conservation, restoration and site preservation. Students worked with Jonathan from Lumination to use simulation technology to experience a digital field trip as a tourist while in the classroom. To enhance the think, pair, share activities Year 12 Ancient History students worked collaboratively with the authentic audience of Year 9 History Elective students to reconstruct the sources and address conservation issues. History students from both Year 12 and Year 9 were actively engaged in learning and enjoyed using the mobile handheld devices. Year 12 students will be able to apply the historical interpretations and deep learning from this revision in the upcoming Ancient History examination.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student Reflection

The opportunity our Year 9 History Elective class had to join the Year 12 Ancient History students in exploring Pompeii and Herculaneum through the use of Virtual Reality was exciting, and allowed me to gain insight into the significance of studying Ancient History through the awe delivered by the sites we virtually visited. We visited sites such as Pompeii’s Forum Baths and the Temple of Isis, and gained insight into everyday life and the social structure of the time. Being able to discuss history with the Year 12 students was also highly valuable. Overall, the virtual reality experience was lots of fun and allowed us to appreciate all of the engaging activities the study of Ancient History has to offer.

Calliope Steward
Year 9 History Elective

On Monday the Year 12 Ancient History class had the opportunity to experience a virtual trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum, to assist our understanding of the topic Cities of Vesuvius. We were grouped with the Year 9 History Extension class to share our knowledge and expertise to help develop their learning and prepare them for when they may learn it themselves. This experience was eye-opening as it allowed us to grasp the realistic scale of buildings and architecture instead of simply imagining their size from words on a page or photos that fail to capture their excellence. I believe that this virtual stroll through the Campania region helped me to better appreciate my studies and reaffirm my love for ancient history.

Vivi Pilarinos
Year 12 Ancient History