working on educational content in 3d collaborative virtual environments: challenges and implications

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Working on Educational Content in 3D Collaborative

Virtual Environments: Challenges and Implications

Ekaterina Prasolova-Førland and Mikhail FominykhNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Norway

Theodor G. WyeldFlinders University (FU)

Australia

IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education25.08.2010. Lahaina, Hawaii, USA

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Contribution

• 5 case studies• 4 major categories of constructions• 3 aspects of presenting content• 2 platforms

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3D Virtual Environments

Three dimensional, multiuser, synchronous, persistent environments, facilitated by networked computers

Active Worlds Second Life

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Content in Virtual Environments

• What is Content?• How to use it for learning?

• Constructionism• Social constructivism

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Information Spaces

• Great freedom of construction

• Real-life experiencebut• Significant effort

required• Difficulties with

navigation and search

• Scaling up problems

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Abstract Concepts

• Improving understanding

but• Time-consuming• Ambiguity of

visual symbols

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Crystallized Activities

• Overcoming cultural differences

• Activities can crystallize into content

but• Limited awareness• Limited

coordination• Social challenges

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Student Environments

• Supplementing virtual campus

• All construction categories - all types of benefits

but• Functionality vs.

reality resemblance

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AestheticsFunctionalit

yExpressedmeaning

Visual Shells

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Visual Shells. Aesthetics

• Enhance motivation• Trigger creativitybut• Weak connection to content• Complicated navigation

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Visual Shells. Functionality

• Clear and simple structures• Well known metaphors• ‘Traditional’ ways of displaying

contentbut• The less ‘Aesthetics’ the better

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Visual Shells. Expressed meaning

• Better understandingbut• Significant amount of effort

and planning• Less flexible structure• Ambiguity of symbols

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Text Multimedi

a 3D symbols

Straightforward

Ambiguous

Vague and dull

Vivid and appealing

Filling visual shells with content

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Visualization harmony

Presentation

Aesthetics

Functionality

Expressed meaning

Content

Text

Multimedia

3D symbols

conflict

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Platform issues

• 3D or not 3D

• Bandwidth and computer power• Resources for training• Building blocks• Connection to existing projects

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Conclusion

• Exploration of educational visualizations in 3D collaborative virtual environments

• Discussion of visual shells for presenting educational content

• Implications for “content – presentation” conflict/harmony

• Implications for technological platforms

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Thank you!

Ekaterina Prasolova-Førland and Mikhail Fominykh

NTNU, Norway

E-mails: ekaterip@idi.ntnu.no

Slides: http://slideshare.net/mfominykh/Second Life: http://slurl.com/secondlife/NTNU/

mikhail.fominykh@svt.ntnu.no