virtual worlds and health rashid kashani, ba, bsc, bscot, mscot(c)(r) occupational therapist / phd...

Virtual Worlds and Health

Rashid Kashani, BA, BSc, BScOT, MScOT(C)(R)Occupational Therapist / PhD Student

Outline

• What are Virtual Worlds (VW s)?

• Current clinical uses, studies

• Why use a VW at all?• Demonstration,

further examples• Current research in

development – client and student focused

What Many Think When Hearing the Term “Virtual Worlds”…

So What are Virtual Worlds?

• A virtual world is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface.

• There are many different types of virtual worlds, however there are six features all of them have in common:

• Shared Space • Graphical User Interface• Immediacy • Interactivity• Persistence • Socialization/Community• Education in Second Life

Current Clinical Uses

Current Clinical Uses

Current Clinical Uses

Limitations and Barriers

Perceived:• Cost• Too hard to use• Real is better than virtual

Real:• Habits• Learning of some new

skills required• Sometimes real is better

than virtual (but sometimes it’s the other way around too!)

• Need for further research, infancy of technology

So why use VWs at all?

• Interactivity• Safety• Training costs• Immersion• Shift in type of

learning/experiences• The 3D Web is

coming – remember what happened when…

Demonstrations

              Jefferson Occupational Therapy in Second Life®UPDATE

Virtual Nursing Education in Second Life

“In-World” Demonstration on “Ability Island”

Others….

Current Research in Development – Student / Learner Focused

Current Research in Development – Client / Patient Focused

Current Research in Development – Client / Patient Focused

Contact Information

• RL – rashid.kashani@albertahelathservices.ca

(780) 407 1333

Aberhart Centre 8311 (3 floor)

• SL – IM: Rashid Singh