Example of DVET – the WalkIS application
The WalkIS digital virtual educational trail is built on virtual points, which are the stopping places within each educational trail. These points are defined by their GPS coordinates and by the radius of the circle drawn around those coordinates; in older DVETs, by means of a QR code at the given point
The information content of a point (or the information board at that point) is downloaded on the basis of the current GPS position when the user is located within the defined virtual point. This content is created from several sources:
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author-created information, which is prepared by the author when creating the DVET. It is in the form of narration by a virtual guide.
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public text sources, such as publicly available information on websites such as Wikipedia.
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public audiovisual sources, such as videos of other visitors published in the public space with the right to view them (e.g. YouTube)
Information boards of educational trails are localizable, and therefore users download only information that in some way relates to the given place.
DVETs in Landek park, Ostrava and a sample offer
Why DVET?
A simple answer. Users, even in a time when everything (or almost everything) can be downloaded from the web, from Google or from other sources, are motivated to move. It is more than useful when DVET information can be obtained only in the place to which it relates.
It is necessary to physically reach the given point of the educational trail!
This connects pleasant movement in the fresh air with informal and enjoyable “education”.
DVET may also exist in places where, for various reasons, it would not be possible to install a classic information board – for example, at important protected monuments.
DVET can therefore operate almost anywhere, in publicly accessible space, without any permits, with marked flexibility of its content.
The implementation of DVET is significantly better in terms of time and cost. And it is a step toward a modern solution.
The WalkIS application (Walk-In Stories, or Walks into Stories) is a mobile application that detects GPS location and, on that basis, plays “story narration” that relates to the given place.
The application allows a choice of up to 4 language versions and practically any updating of content over time.
The application is free of charge for the user.
(The user’s only costs are the mobile data that are used.)
is completely separate from the presentation tool and takes place at the audio level with the support of static images (up to the level of a slide show).
The reason is to provide narration about what the user sees in the real environment around them, while the images serve only to refine orientation. The result is very economical use of mobile data and thus high accessibility for all target groups.
The public may also collaborate in content creation through their involvement (and by becoming familiar with the use of modern technologies such as AI).
(The costs of content creation may be covered by subsidy titles, for example by municipalities, interest organizations, institutions, non-profit organizations, etc.)
To create a new virtual educational trail, no permit is required and the trail is fully functional within a matter of days.
The same applies to updating the content of individual stops. For example, in nature the interpretation may differ in different seasons.
The limitation concerns only non-public spaces (simply put, it is not possible without consent to build such a trail in a place that is accessible only upon payment of admission).
On the other hand, virtual educational trails can also be built in places where it otherwise would not be possible (e.g. Charles Bridge in Prague).
Most recent reference: Municipality of Dobříkov, Pardubice Region, DVET Dobříkov I
Requirement: 5G conference (JINAG), 06/06/2025. Launch: 15/06/2025
Consequence: in the coming months, a transmitter will be built by the mobile operator; the trail is longer …
Supporting documents:
Digitální virtuální naučné stezky - aplikace WalkIS
Appendix to the page 8 of 11