Castle to Classrooms: Developing an Irish Castle in Virtual Reality

FAIN: HAA-271718-20

East Carolina University (Greenville, NC 27858-5235)
Thomas Leslie Herron (Project Director: January 2020 to present)

The design and testing of teaching modules built in virtual reality for an existing 3-D digital model of Kilcolman Castle, Ireland, home of English poet, Edmund Spencer.

This Level II "Prototype" grant will adapt into Virtual Reality a digital 3-D model of an Irish castle for teaching purposes. Kilcolman Castle, now in ruins, was the adopted home of the early modern English poet and administrator Edmond Spenser (1552-1559). Spencer's career and famous writings, which often focus in controversial ways on his life as a plantation settler in Ireland, make the castle a fascinating subject of study. This grant will focus on Spenser's castle and writings through innovative undergraduate and high school teaching modules in history, architecture, archaeology, Irish studies and English literature. These modules with VR applications will highlight the artistic accomplishments of Spenser as well as the cultural diversity of the castle and its surroundings. Spenser's activity in Ireland is a crucial element in our understanding of the historic impact of colonial imperialism. The project will educate and appeal to both students and the general public alike.

Associated Products

Castle to Classrooms: an Irish Castle in Virtual Reality (Web Resource)
Title: Castle to Classrooms: an Irish Castle in Virtual Reality
Author: Thomas Herron
Author: Susannah Ottaway
Author: Ruth Canning
Author: Sara Painter
Author: Doug Barnum
Author: Laurie Godwin
Author: Victoria McAlister
Abstract: This website, including linked Virtual Reality modules based on the WondaVR "Studio" application, present a highly detailed 3-D digital model of Kilcolman Castle, a late-medieval Irish building compound. The website contains prototypes of seven open-access pedagogical modules in Virtual Reality that use a digital model of the castle originally developed in Adobe Acrobat. The modules include VR tours and are linked to open-access Teaching Resource pages developed by the collaborators.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: http://core.ecu.edu/herront/Castle-Classrooms/index.html
Primary URL Description: Website homepage with links to teaching modules in Virtual Reality, including associated Teaching Resources

“The Place of Reading in VR: Pedagogy, Spenser’s Kilcolman Castle and Amoretti 65.” (Article)
Title: “The Place of Reading in VR: Pedagogy, Spenser’s Kilcolman Castle and Amoretti 65.”
Author: Thomas Herron
Abstract: This forthcoming article explores how reading shorter pieces of prose or poetry, no matter how complex, can be effectively enhanced by the VR experience despite its various limitations. Methods of reading and learning are explored in relation to an ongoing interdisciplinary pedagogical project in the digital humanities, *Castle to Classrooms: developing an Irish castle in Virtual Reality project*.
Year: 2023
Access Model: Subscription
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: ITER Special Issue: New Technologies in Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
Publisher: ITER

“Putting Spenser in his Place: Teaching an Irish castle in Virtual Reality.” (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “Putting Spenser in his Place: Teaching an Irish castle in Virtual Reality.”
Author: Thomas Herron
Abstract: Lecture on the ongoing *Castle to Classrooms* VR project
Date: 03/30/2021
Primary URL: https://cos.utk.edu/illuminate-digital-scholars/
Conference Name: Medieval and Renaissance Institute (MARCO), University of Tennessee-Knoxville

“Castle to Classrooms: developing an Irish castle in Virtual Reality.” (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: “Castle to Classrooms: developing an Irish castle in Virtual Reality.”
Abstract: Presentation on facets of *Castle to Classrooms* project
Author: Thomas Herron
Date: 10/14/2021
Location: On-line, hosted by University College Dublin
Primary URL: http://youtu.be/t-N0a20_bcQ

“Centering Spenser: challenges teaching about an Irish medieval castle in Virtual Reality.” (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: “Centering Spenser: challenges teaching about an Irish medieval castle in Virtual Reality.”
Author: Thomas Herron
Abstract: Discussion of ongoing *Castle to Classrooms* project
Date Range: 11/19/2021
Location: On-line, hosted as part of the Digital Scholarship Colloquia Series, UNC-Greensboro

“Kilcolman Castle in VR: New Visions in Teaching, Research, and Outreach” (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “Kilcolman Castle in VR: New Visions in Teaching, Research, and Outreach”
Author: Thomas Herron
Author: Ruth Canning
Author: Vicky McAlister
Abstract: Discussion of pedagogical techniques in ongoing *Castle to Classrooms* project
Date: 4/9/2021
Primary URL: http://www.castlestudies.org/schedule/
Conference Name: New Perspectives in Castle Studies

Carleton College Day of DH (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Carleton College Day of DH
Author: Thomas Herron
Abstract: Lightning Round Talk on *Castle to Classrooms* project
Date Range: 6/3/2022
Location: On-line sponsored by Carleton College, MN
Primary URL: https://www.carleton.edu/digital-humanities/conferences/day-of-dh/day-of-dh-2022/

Roundtable: Expanding the Insular: Maintaining the International Scholarly Network in Irish Medieval Studies (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Roundtable: Expanding the Insular: Maintaining the International Scholarly Network in Irish Medieval Studies
Author: Thomas Herron
Abstract: Round-table discussion involving outreach potential of *Castle to Classrooms* project
Date: 5/10/2022
Conference Name: International Congress of Medieval Studies, Kalamazoo, MI

Roundtable: Communities and Cultural Identity in Early Modern Ireland (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Roundtable: Communities and Cultural Identity in Early Modern Ireland
Author: Thomas Herron
Abstract: Presentation and discussion on developing *Castle to Classrooms* project
Date: 3/31/2022
Primary URL: https://rsa.confex.com/rsa/2022/meetingapp.cgi/Session/5468
Conference Name: Renaissance Society of America, Dublin, Ireland

Castle to Classrooms: teaching Kilcolman Castle in Virtual Reality (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Castle to Classrooms: teaching Kilcolman Castle in Virtual Reality
Author: Thomas Herron
Abstract: Presentation on ongoing *Castle to Classrooms" project
Date: 8/19/2022
Primary URL: https://tudorstuartireland.com/2022-conference/
Conference Name: Tudor and Stuart Ireland Conference, Dublin, Ireland

“Kilcolman Castle: an Irish tower house in Virtual Reality.” (Article)
Title: “Kilcolman Castle: an Irish tower house in Virtual Reality.”
Author: Thomas Herron
Author: Victoria McAlister
Abstract: Overview discussion of the digital castle project and advantages to teaching it in VR.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/en-us/products/mw-issue-x-6
Access Model: Subscription only
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: Medieval Warfare
Publisher: Karwansaray Publishers

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