Thesis title: Exploring the Potential and Impact of Virtual Reality Technologies on
Geography Education

Begun: October 2024

Link to relevant web pages: https://guneyivural.com/

Dissertation Topic:

The proposed dissertation focuses on "Exploring the Potential and Impact of Virtual Reality Technologies on Geography Education." The research aims to examine how integrating virtual reality (VR) technology can enhance students' understanding and engagement in geography, ultimately transforming traditional teaching methods into immersive learning experiences. The study will investigate the effects of VR on student motivation, performance, and satisfaction, as well as the collaborative aspects of learning through VR applications. Leveraging my experience as a geography teacher and collaborating with Dr. Martin Hanus, I aim to provide valuable insights into the use of innovative pedagogical approaches that equip students with essential skills for the 21st century.

Qualifications:

• M.Sc. in Geographic Information Technologies, Istanbul Technical University, 2018
• M.A. in Geography, Istanbul University, 2016
• B.A. in Archeology (Double Major), Istanbul University, 2012
• Certificate in Pedagogy, Istanbul University, 2011
• B.A. in Geography (with Honors), Istanbul University, 2011

Additional Education & Certificates
10-19 June 2010 GIS project and certificate of participation

Certıfıcates:

• Using computer (160 hours)
• Photo shoot (96 hours)
• Advanced using office programs (60 hours)
• Body Languages (15 hours)
• Certificate of Getting Started with GIS (for ArcGIS 10.0) from ESRI
• Turning Data Into Information Using ArcGIS 10.0 from ESRI
• ArcGIS Pro: Essential Workflows (24 hours)
• Introduction to GIS Using ArcGIS (16 hours)

Job experience:

• 2011: Participated in an archaeological excavation in Niğde (Tepecik-Çiftlik) as an archaeologist
• 2011: Worked as an intern teacher at Eyüp High School in Istanbul
• 2013: Worked as a geography teacher at Ali Rıza Özderici High School in Istanbul
• 2017–2021: Worked as a geography teacher for the Eyüp Municipality in Istanbul
• 2021–2025: Worked  as a geography teacher at American Robert College in Istanbul

Publications

• Gönençgil, B., Vural, G. (2016). Çevre tarihi açısından küçük buzul çağı ve sosyal etkileri (In
  terms of environmental history little ice age and its social effects) International Geography
  Symposium 13-14 October 2016, Ankara
• Mutlu A., Vural, G., et al. (2017). Bodrum Turistik Bilgi Sistemi Web ve Mobil Uygulamaları
  (Bodrum Touristic Information System Web and Mobile Applications) Turkey Map Scientific
  And Technical Congress, Geoinformation Technologies and Software Fair, 3-6 May 2017,
  Hacettepe University, Ankara
• Vural, G., Dogru A.O., et al. (2018): Visual analysis of human migration activities to Europe
  using GIS, Euroasian GIS 2018 Congress, 04-07 September 2018, Baku, Azerbaijan. (Oral
  Presentation-Published Abstract)