We have developed a virtual microscope that allows students to, virtually, look at various rocks under polarised and unpolarised light.
A positive we have found is that students are all looking at the exact same samples. This means that we can point out features to them on their samples and it really scaffolds that learning processes. It also creates more consistent experience. Everyone is looking at the same thing and being told the same pieces of information. For students in the early stages of their learning this is a helpful step before they move onto developing the identification skills themselves. It would be great if we could do something similar with virtual field experiences. Where everyone is looking at the same feature in a site and being told the exact same information about it. This then scaffolds their learning before they go off and perhaps look at a similar feature at a different site.