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Thanks to TP’s 3D virtual campus in Google Earth, now you can take a tour of TP’s grounds whenever and wherever you are!
First mooted as a student project last year, the photo-realistic 3D model of TP’s campus enables you to tilt, rotate and view the TP campus at Tampines and the Tourism Academy at Sentosa (TP’s satellite campus).
A Web 2.0 application launched by Google, Google Earth combines the power of Google Search with satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings to put the world's geographic information at the user’s fingertips.
With Google Earth, you can now “fly” to TP by typing “Temasek Polytechnic” in the “Fly To” search box. If you have downloaded the 3D model file (see links listed at the bottom) you will be able to view TP’s campus and terrain in 3D. You can also save and share everything you have identified.
Conceptualising the Project
A student project by TP’s Diploma in Information Technology students, the TP Google Earth 3D virtual campus was conceived by TP’s Informatics & Information Technology School (IIT) lecturer Oh Chin Lock, when he realised that not many places in Singapore are built up in 3D in Google Earth.
Seizing this fact, he shared his findings with his students. The project took off when the students expressed interest in building up the TP campus in 3D as part of their major project.
Launched on TP’s website in December 2007, the project holds wider significance for TP as well. Mr Oh elaborates, “We wanted to showcase TP to the world and be one of the pioneering few campuses in Singapore to go 3D in Google Earth. At the same time, the project also lets us use Google Earth as a pilot and trial for Interactive Digital Media (IDM) learning in IT subjects and courses. We also wanted to enhance the experience of visitors to TP and to showcase IIT School and our students’ abilities to the world.”
The Road Ahead
With TP’s 3D virtual campus now completed and live in Google Earth, the project team is setting its sight on even more ambitious projects. “The team is in discussions with a government agency to build models for the Tampines area,” Mr Oh reveals. Looking at the vivid recreation of TP’s campus online, we’re sure that you’ll be flying around Tampines in cyberspace in no time.
To view TP’s 3D virtual campus, images and videos, you need to have Google Earth on your computer and download these files:
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