educational time machine: capturing learning in 3d virtual worlds

Educational Time Machine Capturing Learning in 3D Virtual worlds

Mikhail Fominykh Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

Mikhail Morozov and Alexey Gerasimov Mari State Technical University, Russia

The Virtual Worlds Research Network Inaugural Conference 16–18 May 2012. University of Edinburgh, UK

Virtual worlds

as learning environments

• Low cost and high safety

• Three-dimensional representation of learners and objects

• Interaction in simulated contexts

• Sense of presence

• Variety of tools

Synchronous - Asynchronous

Synchronous (online)

Asynchronous (offline)

Traditional Learning

Face-to-face classes Text books

Video recorded classes

2D e-Learning Webinars Recorded webinars

3D e-Learning Classes in virtual

worlds ?

Types of learning

Synchronous/live Asynchronous/content

2D e-Learning

Synchronous class

Asynchronous class

Face to face class

Webinar

CMS/LMS

live/online

content

3D e-Learning

Face to face class

Synchronous class

Asynchronous class

live/online

content

Synchronous (online)

Asynchronous (offline)

Traditional Learning

Face-to-face classes Text books

Video recorded classes

2D e-Learning Webinars Recorded webinars

3D e-Learning

Types of learning

Synchronous - Asynchronous

vAcademia

1. Starting a class in vAcademia

2. Press Recording button

3. Conducting a class in vAcademia

4. Press Stop button

5. New content – 3D recording of

the class

6. 3D recordings – course content

Teaching tools

Real world vAcademia

Chalk and board Interactive white boards

Pointer for each user

Pointer

Slide show presentations

Slide show presentations

Web camera sharing

Web camera

Desktop sharing Desktop

Teaching tools

Backchannel

Clicker tools

Text, graphic, and voice notes

Users may share their comments and impressions in the form of text, graphic, and voice notes.

Collection

Educational resources for both teachers and students may be uploaded into Collection.

Environment design

Users can organize learning space at any location of vAcademia by arranging the furniture in the way they like.

User’s 3D objects

Users can upload their own 3D objects in Collada format, which extends the possibilities for creating learning environments

Parallel time

Real time class

R0

R1

R1

R2

Recording

Replay

Recording

Real time class 1

Real time class 2

Real time class 3

Real time class 4

Parallel space

Time machine

t R1 R2

R3

R4

R5

Web-site support

New course

3D recordings

3D recording info

Scenarios of use

• Visiting a 3D recording

• by a group of learners • actively working inside • with almost the same presence effect

• Creating a new 3D recording being inside one • guiding learners only through some parts of

the original class • enhancing a class with additional discussions,

questions and comments • using text, graphic, and sound notes

Visiting a 3D recording

t

Live class

R1 – 3D recordings of the class

R1

3D recording without some of the parts

x x x

R2

R1 – 3D recordings of the class t

R1

R2 – shorter 3D recording based on R1

3D recording with additional and replaced parts

x x

R1 – 3D recordings of the class t

R3 – longer 3D recording based on R1

R1

R3

3D recording with enhanced with notes

x x

R1 – 3D recordings of the class t

R4 – 3D recording based on R1

R1

R4

Current usage

• Several IT courses at the Mari State Technical University, Russia

Current usage

• English for beginners at the Mukogawa Women's University in Japan

Current usage

• High school advanced chemistry course in Yoshkar-Ola, Russia

Future directions

• Additional functionality • custom learning environments • convenient environment and teaching tools

• Improving accessibility • different operating systems • mobile devices • browser-based client

• New learning scenarios • synchronous and asynchronous activities • Virtcast – new type of user-generated content

Thank you!

http://vacademia.com

http://www.facebook.com/vAcademia

@vacademia_info

http://www.slideshare.net/vacademia

Educational virtual world vAcademia info@vacademia.com

presented by Mikhail Fominykh mikhail.fominykh@svt.ntnu.no

http://www.idi.ntnu.no/~fominykh/

http://www.linkedin.com/in/fominykh

http://slideshare.net/mfominykh/

http://vacademia.com/userprofile/show/id/808