Peer Review

360Cities

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Reviewed:: Aug 10, 2018 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

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Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

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Overview:: 360cities.net is the web’s largest collection of stunning, geo-referenced, interactive panoramic photos, created by a network of thousands of the finest panorama photographers from around the world. 360Cities is leveraging the growing demand for rich media digital content in publishing, advertising & film, and mobile app & game development and has become the go to resource for those in search of high-quality 360 degree panoramas. Educators can use the panoramas on the web to allow students to explore the wonders of the world.
Type of Material:: Collection
Recommended Uses:: Virtual field trips, group projects, virtual tours, app smashing, enhancing presentations
Technical Requirements:: Internet connection. For some users who prefer to view the 360 content with a VR headset, you may, depending on the VR headset, need to purchase a headset and use your cell phone to access the content.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: 360Cities aims to curate and provide high quality, fully 360 degrees interactive panoramic photos and vides for education, publishing, adivertising & film, and mobile app & game development. The use of these images and media is determined by the user. There are no specific learning goals associated with the site. Faculty can determine how to incorporate the resources available within 360Cities into their lesson planning.
Target Student Population:: Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional, Grade School
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None

Content Quality

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Strengths:

360Cities states that it is the world's largest collection of stock 360 degree images and videos. The videos are provided for use with advertising, editorials, virtual reality (games, education, travel experiences, and more) web and mobile apps, and digital and print campaigns. The options for using the 360 degree clips is based on the user's intentions. The content of this vast collection is vast and global. The collection can be explored via site search, a world map, individual photographers, or curated sets.

The search and display feature allows for thumbnail results and there are live interactive image previews. This allows for efficient exploration and browsing of the collection.

The learning content presented offers rich possibilities for incorporation into larger curricular initiatives set forth by educators, particularly disciplines where world geography and cultural exploration are key.

Concerns:

Those wanting to use images for some locations are limited by the materials submitted to the site. For those that want to download images, there is a cost associated with that action.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:

Again, the search feature is very efficient and the previews allow for live interactions. The user can choose to receive the images or videos as downloads or livestreams. Once in the collection, users have access to all videos and images at once. This site could be used in multiple ways and at multiple levels. Educators could use it for introducing, supporting, or making a particular point in a lesson. Students could use it for enhancing presentations, researching and documenting a subject or process, or indivdual studies.

The material is agnostic of prescribed objectives, and can be used with learners of all levels.

Concerns:

Based on the nature of the content, there may be limited usage for certain disciplines.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: The site is well organized, intuitive, and easy to navigate. The search options allow for efficient use of the site. There are four levels of use--Basic (forever free), and Plus, Pro, and Company which have yearly fees depending on use. Users can become a 360Cities contributor and create, publish, share, and earn money from their 360 panoramas and videos.
Concerns:: The process of linking images together and "traveling" to linked locations can be confusing to new users. It is not always made clear how to prepare files to be shared in the system.

Other Issues and Comments:: From the author: 360Cities is a publishing platform for photographers and a source of content for commercial and editorial usage in a wide range of sectors, including education. Potential users should contact us at contact@360cities.net to obtain specific usage rights. We offer API based solutions that can be tailored to specific needs.
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