An AR Campus Tour

Research Background

Nowadays, more and more academic programs are offered online at universities, leading to a surge in dedicated students who rarely, if ever, get to step foot on campus. They shouldn't miss out on the campus experience! 

Powered by the GuidiGO app, this augmented reality (AR) campus tour is specifically designed to bring the heart of Emporia State University (ESU) directly to students, wherever they are physically located. For those taking online degrees who face geographic or time barriers, this AR tour is their personal, on-demand campus visit. They may simply download the free GuidiGO app and activate the ESU tour to start exploring. They will gain 360-degree views of iconic locations like the William Allen White Library and the ESU Memorial Union, with interactive 3D overlays providing deeper context on academic programs and student life. This immersive experience eliminates travel costs and scheduling conflicts, allowing visitors to walk through the the campus, tour different halls, get a real feel for the campus vibe, see where their future professors work, and explore the athletic facilities that form the community spirit. It's an innovative, accessible, and engaging way to connect with their university’s physical world. 

Research Questions

In this project, we want to study how online/remote students perceive the effectiveness of this AR campus tour and how such a virtual tour may impact their sense of belonging to the university. We are interested in how international students may view this AR campus tour as part of the orientation in helping them getting familiar with the campus.