Introduction to ThingLink

An overview of ThingLink, its key uses and benefits in teaching and learning materials.

What is ThingLink?

ThingLink is an online tool that allows users to create interactive images, videos, 360° media, and 3D models with clickable hotspots (or tags) containing text, links, audio, video, polls, quiz questions and other embedded content.

It is a powerful tool for developing engaging educational materials that make subject matter more vivid and accessible. By fostering a participatory environment, it promotes active, immersive learning experiences for students.

What are the benefits for educators?

ThingLink can be used to support on campus, online and blended learning, to make complex information more accessible and visually intuitive for students.

It's quick and cost effective - Create interactive learning experiences without the need for a big budget, lots of time for training or advanced web development skills.
It's easy to share and embed - Share and embed ThingLinks in lots of ways. Thousands of learners can view and interact with content directly within learning materials without an account.
You can track engagement - Track the number of views, clicks, and approximate time spent interacting to understand how your learners are engaging with your immersive content.

Why use immersive learning?

Immersive learning enhances student engagement by providing interactive, multi-sensory experiences that deepen understanding. It also fosters independent exploration and critical thinking by allowing students to navigate content at their own pace.

The University of Leeds created a virtual field trip along the Jurassic Coast. Through the use of the VR headsets in a face-to-face teaching session, students were able to explore a hazardous geological site from the safety of the classroom (Digital Education Annual Report 2022-23).

“The virtual field trip was well received by our students.... As a Faculty, we’re keen to explore how we might grow the provision of virtual field trips and field resources to enhance the experiences we can offer.”

- Dr Mark Thomas, Education Academic Lead, Faculty of Environment

What can I create?

ThingLink is a versatile tool, which you can use to create interactive resources in any subject area for any delivery mode to bring your learning materials to life! Review the examples to get your creative ideas flowing.

Maps and timelines

Create maps and timelines enriched with multimedia tags to explore geographic, cultural or historical information.

Diagrams and 3D models

Annotate complex diagrams and 3D models with definitions, video demonstrations or quizzes to explain concepts and deepen understanding.

Infographics

Design infographics that incorporate videos, charts, and links to make complex topics more engaging and informative.

Digital storytelling

Build immersive scenes from literature, history or science to create memorable and captivating learning experiences.

Case studies

Create case studies to help learners engage in problem solving and explore different perspectives through real-world examples.

Role-play scenarios

Create scenarios with audio tags, dialogues, and other multimedia elements for role-playing such as language practice and medical scenarios.

Guided tours and field trips

Design virtual tours and field trips using 360° images of places such as university buildings or historical sites, with videos, quizzes, and audio narrations to guide learners and help them familiarise themselves with the surroundings.

Art galleries, museums and exhibitions

Create digital galleries, museum spaces or exhibitions where learners can learn about different artworks by immersing themselves and exploring the space.

Virtual reality (VR) / augmented reality (AR)

Develop immersive experiences where learners learn through interaction with objects by using a VR headset or mobile device to interact with real-world surroundings.

This article was published on 2024-10-08