Embedded Files
Alejandro Garcia and Carla Alsina
Short description
Students explore a 360 virtual version of the Faculty of Education at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona using a digital tool called Thinglink.
They visit four interactive rooms, the cafeteria, the library, the teacher’s office, and the classroom, to discover vocabulary, read short definitions, and solve riddles in English.
Lesson outline:
Introduction and vocabulary warm-up.
Explore 360 scenes with Thinglink and discover hotspots.
Solve riddles in each room to “escape.”
Reflect on what they learned and share favourite rooms.
Contextualization
This activity is part of a language and digital learning project designed to promote vocabulary acquisition through immersive technology.
By virtually exploring the Faculty of Education (UAB), students experience real-life contexts beyond their school environment.
We took a 360 image of the main square of UAB's Faculty of Education, called Plaça de les Oliveres using a 360 GoPro camera, and the four rooms were AI-generated with Thinglink.
Through this playful mission, learners connect English learning with curiosity, exploration, and real-world spaces.
Target age: 8-9 years old (3rd - 4th grade Primary Education)
Target language level: A1 (CEFR)
Location: Classroom (with tablets or laptops)
Lesson aims
To learn and use vocabulary related to school and university spaces.
To understand short written texts and riddles in English.
To develop curiosity, digital competence, and autonomy through 360 exploration.
CEFR competencies integrated
1. Reception (listening & reading)
Students understand short written texts, definitions, and riddles in familiar contexts. (CEFR p.56–68)
2. Interaction (spoken & written)
Students exchange results and ideas with the class after the activity with Thinglink. (CEFR p.83–90)
3. Production (spoken & written)
Students produce short answers and sentences to describe objects and places. (CEFR p.70–78)
4. Communicative Language Competences
Learners use linguistic and pragmatic competences to identify meaning in context and respond appropriately. (CEFR p.132–138)
Learning objectives (SWBATs)
Students will be able to identify and name school and university objects in English.
Students will be able to understand short definitions and use context to infer meaning.
Students will be able to solve riddles and describe places using target vocabulary.
Students will be able to interact with peers to share ideas and complete the activity.
Students will be able to reflect on their learning and express preferences in English.
Preparation for the app task cycle
Before the lesson (approx. 30–40 min teacher preparation):
Take a 360 photo of Plaça de les Oliveres using a GoPro camera.
Create four AI-generated 360 rooms (cafeteria, library, teacher’s office, classroom) with Thinglink.
Add vocabulary hotspots with simple definitions and illustrations.
Insert riddles as interactive text for each room.
Prepare a QR code linking to the Thinglink activity.
Test all links and device access before class.
Tech setup:
Download or access Thinglink.
Teacher creates one account; students access via shared link or QR code.
Ensure stable Wi-Fi connection and functional tablets/laptops.
Materials
App:
Thinglink (360 and interactive hotspot creator)
Equipment:
360 GoPro camera (for real 360 photo)
Tablets or laptops (1 per person)
QR code for easy access
Additional materials:
Classroom projector or smartboard (for demonstration)
Optional printed worksheet for vocabulary recording
Brief description of each phase of task cycle
Pre-task (5–10 minutes)
Teacher introduces the mission: “You will explore the university and solve riddles to escape each room!”
Vocabulary warm-up: recall common school objects (chair, board, book, pencil…).
Explain how to navigate Thinglink and access hotspots.
Main task (10–12 minutes)
Step 1: Entry challenge
Students start in the 360º image of Plaça de les Oliveres.
They must solve one riddle to access each room (cafeteria, library, teacher’s office, classroom).
Step 2: Room exploration
Inside each room, students:
Click on objects to learn their names and read short English descriptions.
Discuss in groups what each object is used for.
Solve three riddles per room to “escape” and unlock the next one.
Example hotspots:
Lamp – It gives light when you read.
Shelf – Where all the books live!
Clip – It holds papers together.
Post-task (5–10 minutes)
Class discussion:
“What new words did you learn?”
“Which room was your favourite and why?”
Students write or draw one of the rooms, labelling objects in English.
Teacher provides oral feedback on vocabulary and engagement.
Thinglink tour
ScreenRecording_11-04-2025 12-35-38_1.MP4Canva presentation with key information
Click here to see the presentation.
Try out of the activity in class
Trying the 360 tool in class
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