The WWI Memorial Virtual Explorer App
FAIN: MN-277099-21
United States Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars (Washington, DC 20004-2608)
Daniel Dayton (Project Director: June 2020 to present)
Production of a smartphone app and online portal that complements the National World War I Memorial.
The WWI Memorial Virtual Explorer is an augmented reality smartphone app that allows users to place a full scale, detailed 3D, model of the National World War I Memorial into their personal space and explore a wealth of highly curated content related to the history and impact of World War I on our lives today.
Associated Products
Virtual Explorer (Game/Simulation)Title: Virtual Explorer
Author: The Doughboy Foundation
Abstract: The Virtual Explorer is a smartphone application designed to provide a remote visitor experience for those who cannot visit the National World War I Memorial in person. Users can take a virtual field trip to the Memorial from the comfort of their own home, school, or other remote location using VR technology to ‘place’ a scale model of the entire 1.8-acre Memorial around them. Once placed, the user can walk around and explore the site as if they were at the Memorial itself. The virtual site is filled with features including 3D stories and 51 videos integrated into the virtual space.
The app offers access to the “How WWI Changed America” educational resources and to World War I Virtual Remembrances.
“How WWI Changed America” allows users to view 51 short videos covering social aspects of World War I and how the War that Changed the World transformed every aspect of American life. The videos feature prominent World War I historians, archival footage, period photos and newspaper headlines to explore subjects such as Native Americans in WWI, Citizenship in WWI, or the Homefront.
Virtual Remembrances allow users to explore hundreds of Stories of Service -- stories about World War I veterans, nurses, ambulance drivers, Red Cross volunteers, local heroes and even about the users’ own ancestors previously submitted to The Doughboy Foundation. These stories are turned into profiles with pictures, text, and speech that can be read or listened to by users
Year: 2021
Primary URL:
https://doughboy.org/appsPrimary URL Description: Webpage on The Doughboy Foundation's website explaining the app and directing users to the appropriate app stores for download.
Access Model: Available for free download from Google Play and the Apple App Store
Programming Language/Platform: Unreal Engine 4
Source Available?: No
Prizes
2022 Communicator Awards: Award of Distinction in “Mobile Apps / Sites Winners: General-Education”
Date: 5/10/2022
Organization: Communicator Awards
Abstract: The Communicator Awards is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, an invitation-only group consisting of top-tier professionals from acclaimed media, communications, advertising, creative and marketing firms. It is considered the leading international awards program recognizing excellence in communication across a spectrum of industries, championing effective and meaningful work.
2022 Communicator Awards: Award of Distinction in “Mobile Apps / Sites Winners: Features- Experimental & Innovative”
Date: 5/10/2022
Organization: Communicator Awards
Abstract: The Communicator Awards is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, an invitation-only group consisting of top-tier professionals from acclaimed media, communications, advertising, creative and marketing firms. It is considered the leading international awards program recognizing excellence in communication across a spectrum of industries, championing effective and meaningful work.
2022 Webby Nominee in “Apps and Software - Best Use of Augmented Reality”
Date: 4/26/2022
Organization: The Webby Awards
Abstract: The Webbys is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Science -- a 2000+ member judging body. The Academy comprises Executive Members -- leading Internet experts, business figures, luminaries, visionaries and creative celebrities -- and Associate Members who are former Webby Winners, Nominees and other Internet professionals.
2022 Webby Nominee in “Apps and Software - Art, Culture, and Events”
Date: 4/26/2022
Organization: The Webby Awards
Abstract: The Webbys is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Science -- a 2000+ member judging body. The Academy comprises Executive Members -- leading Internet experts, business figures, luminaries, visionaries and creative celebrities -- and Associate Members who are former Webby Winners, Nominees and other Internet professionals.
2022 EdTech Awards: Finalist for "’Cool Tools’ Award: Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality Solution”
Date: 4/1/2022
Organization: EdTech Awards:
Abstract: The EdTech Awards, presented by the EdTech Digest, is the largest and most competitive recognition program in all of education technology. The EdTech Awards recognizes people in and around education for outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere.
2024 EdTech Awards: Winner for "’Cool Tools’ Award: Social Studies Solution”
Date: 4/1/2024
Organization: EdTech Awards
Abstract: The EdTech Awards, presented by the EdTech Digest, is the largest and most competitive recognition program in all of education technology. The EdTech Awards recognizes people in and around education for outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere.
Visitor Guide (Game/Simulation)Title: Visitor Guide
Author: The Doughboy Foundation
Abstract: The Visitor Guide is a smartphone application for onsite visitors to the National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC. With the app's augmented reality technology, users can interact with and explore features around the park, and can access educational and commemorative materials.
Educationally, the app allows visitors to learn more about the history of the war through 51 short (1 to 5 minutes) documentary vignettes about the American experience in the war presented by prominent WWI historians, as well as fully-rendered scale models of iconic WWI vehicles and a fully-rendered and populated 3D timeline of the war’s major milestones.
In terms of commemoration, the Visitor Guide allows users to access individual stories of service members, drawing from a large archive of previously submitted “Stories of Service.” This feature gives visitors the opportunity for a unique and personalized experience. If they have previously submitted a story of their ancestor, the app can create a virtual plinth with said story on it -- visitors can read about their ancestor in the very park honoring their service. And, if they have not previously submitted a story, the app allows them to do so.
Year: 2021
Primary URL:
https://doughboy.org/appsPrimary URL Description: Webpage on The Doughboy Foundation's website explaining the app and directing users to the appropriate app stores for download.
Access Model: Available for free download from Google Play and the Apple App Store
Programming Language/Platform: Unreal Engine 4
Source Available?: No
Virtual Explorer on VILHQ (Web Resource)Title: Virtual Explorer on VILHQ
Author: The Doughboy Foundation
Abstract: In cooperation with Verizon, The Doughboy Foundation has published the Virtual Explorer app on Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a free online education portal that empowers educators to help bring new ways of learning and next-gen tech into the learning experience.
The Doughboy Foundation’s collection available through Verizon Innovative Learning HQ includes:
● A 20-page “The United States in WWI” history eBook;
● A series of video documentaries called “How WWI Changed America;”
● Augmented reality apps for smartphones and tablets;
● Additional primary sources;
● Teacher guides; and
● Student worksheets.
Created for use in history or civic classes in grades 7–12, the Doughboy Foundation’s WWI teaching and learning resources are standards-driven and flexible. Teachers can use the materials to plan and deliver lessons about WWI for as little as a single day or as long as a full school week or more.
Year: 2022
Primary URL:
https://www.verizon.com/learning/ar-vr-apps/The-WWI-Memorial-Virtual-Explorer/60Primary URL Description: The webpage for The WWI Memorial "Virtual Explorer" and associated educational resources on the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ portal.
WWI Memorial Desktop Explorer (Beta) (Game/Simulation)Title: WWI Memorial Desktop Explorer (Beta)
Author: The Doughboy Foundation
Abstract: The Foundation is adapting the Virtual Explorer to a desktop format. This adaptation is currently in beta development for Apple devices. User-testing and final development is underway. (A Windows version of the application is also under development.)
The WWI Memorial Desktop Explorer (Beta) takes the core content from the current smartphone application and redesigns the UX and UI to be appropriate for desktop use.
Users will discover content and navigate the app by moving around the digital World War I Memorial Park in a first person POV (point-of-view) instead of the page based navigation of the smartphone app. Likewise, the app offers access to the “How WWI Changed America” educational resources and to World War I Virtual Remembrances.
“How WWI Changed America” allows users to view 51 short videos covering social aspects of World War I and how the War that Changed the World transformed every aspect of American life. The videos feature prominent World War I historians, archival footage, period photos and newspaper headlines to explore subjects such as Native Americans in WWI, Citizenship in WWI, or the Homefront.
Virtual Remembrances allow users to explore hundreds of Stories of Service -- stories about World War I veterans, nurses, ambulance drivers, Red Cross volunteers, local heroes and even about the users’ own ancestors previously submitted to The Doughboy Foundation. These stories are turned into profiles with pictures, text, and speech that can be read or listened to by users
Launch of the release version is slated for 2024.
Year: 2024
Access Model: In-house beta version
Source Available?: No