Evaluating Three-Dimensional Visualization Technologies in Soil Science Education: A Review and Case Study

Three-dimensional (3D) modeling of soil monoliths presents an opportunity for overcoming persistent challenges in soil science education, such as limited access to field sites and experimental learning. Such technologies have been used to widen the scope of STEM education by expanding methods of teaching into a more accessible, digital space, but this has not resulted in changes in soil science education. This study summarizes the literature on the well-established approach of photogrammetry for building 3D models that experts of soil and other STEM fields may not be familiar with, including terminologies, file formats, and software, and their use with soil monoliths, with a focus on the technical parameters that influence model parameters—namely, lighting conditions, image overlap, reference targets, camera resolution, and software configurations. A case study is included to illustrate the practical implementation and suggestions of the discussed parameter settings for 3D modeling. Scaniverse offers a free, easy-to-use option for rendering complete 3D models. The findings further offer actionable guidance for educators seeking to integrate high-quality digital soil monoliths into classroom and remote learning environments. Using digital soil monoliths in virtual soil judging competitions would expand the pedagogical utility of extended reality technologies in soil science curricula.