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ConceptualizingVirtual Research Arena

Framework

Mikhail Fominykh and Ekaterina Prasolova-FørlandNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Norway

21.09.2011European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning, Palermo, Italy

Learning Activities across Physical and Virtual Spaces

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3D Collaborative Virtual EnvironmentsDefinition• three dimensional, multiuser,

synchronous, persistent environment, facilitated by networked computers

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3D Collaborative Virtual Environmentsfor collaborative work on 3D content• 3D content manipulation• Sense of presence• Visualization and creativity

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Research questions

• Collaborative work on 3D content:• Why is it worth using?• How to describe, analyze and

evaluate?• How to design an environment,

tools and facilities?• How to support and facilitate

communities?

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Goals of the paper and presentation

• Consolidate results of our previous studies on the use of 3D CVEs for learning

• Conceptualize Virtual Research Arena (VRA) framework

• Feedbacks and discussion

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Educational virtual city designVirtual Research Arena context

Virtualcampus

VirtualResearch

Arena

Virtualmuseum

Virtualclub

Multi-usergame

Contextualgame

Informationplace

Socializingplace

Virtuallab

Universcity

Entertainment layer

Layer of education and research

Cultural layerSoci

al la

yer

Virtualstage

Seriousgame

Communityfacilities

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Virtual City projects

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Virtual Campus

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Virtual Research Arena

• a framework for creating awareness about educational and research activities, promoting cross-fertilization between different environments and engaging the general public– Virtual Science Fair at Norwegian Science

week– Student projects “cooperation technology”

course

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Virtual Science Fair

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Virtual Science Fair

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Virtual Science Fair in physical space

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Virtual Science Fair is still there

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Visualizing research projects

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Visualizing research projects

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Conceptualization

• Content level– content types, visualization

means and dynamics

• Service level– tools and features

• Community level– connecting communities,

community spaces, community repository, etc.

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Conceptualization

VirtualResearch

Arena

Workplace (tools & tutorials)Virtual libraryVirtual stage

Virtual gallery

CreativeVirtual

Workshop

Social layerLayer of ed. and research

Cultural layerEntertainment layer

Universcity

Authentic environmentLearning & researchingSocializing

VirtualCampus

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Content level

• Typology of the 3D content and visualization means– content types in 3D CVEs (text,

multimedia and 3D objects) + dynamics

– visualization means in 3D CVEs (aesthetics, functionality and expressed meaning)

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3D constructions analysis

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6 Group 7

Text basic info, details

basic info details details basic info basic info basic info, details

Multimedia slideshow slideshow,

graphics, web links

slideshow, graphics

slideshow, video

no graphics, slideshow, web links

3D symbols functional, real-life

decorative functional, real-life

real-life functional real-life real-life

Presentation excursion, avatars

excursion, avatars

role-play, avatars, audience

role-play, avatars

discussion role-play, discussion, audience

excursion

Aesthetics elements atmosphere, elements

elements elements no elements atmosphere

Functionality interactivity, simulation

navigation interactivity, simulation, navigation

navigation navigation navigation navigation

Expressed meaning

visual symbols, metaphors

visual symbols

visual symbols

metaphors no metaphors metaphors

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Service level

• Creative Virtual Workshop– Virtual workplace– Virtual library– Virtual stage

– Virtual gallery• Virtual campus

– appealing atmosphere– container for places and tools

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Community level

• Connect educational, cultural, social and entertainment activities– ‘Universcity’ framework

• Domain and engaging issues• Community spaces• Support for ties between

communities• Boundary objects• Community repository

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Challenges

• Complexity of assessing and evaluating collaborative work on 3D content

• Sophistication and ambiguity of 3D visualizations

• Difficulty of establishing communities in 3D CVEs

• Possibilities of connecting physical and virtual spaces and events

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Thank you!

Mikhail Fominykh and Ekaterina Prasolova-FørlandNorwegian University of Science and Technology,

Norwayhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/NTNU/

mikhail.fominykh@svt.ntnu.no, ekaterip@idi.ntnu.no

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

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

https://my.secondlife.com/mihail.palace

http://slideshare.net/mfominykh/

http://ntnu-no.academia.edu/MikhailFominykh

http://www.mendeley.com/profiles/mikhail-fominykh/

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