Exploring Virtual Worlds as a Platform for Education

Marc R. Stephens, MAEDMedia Designer

University of Michigan Medical School

Chris ChapmanMedia Services Manager

University of Michigan Medical School

Why Virtual Reality for Education?

• Experiential Learning - Learn by doingConfucius said, “Tell me and I will forget.

Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand.”

• Safe environment In VR simulation, potentially dangerous activities can be engaged in without fear of real harm.

& let’s face it… VR is fun! :)

The Elective Course

• 18 second-year medical students• Focus

– Exploring the technology– Application to education

• Topic for medical relevance– Mass-casualty triage

• Data gathering– Videotaped while interacting with systems– Interviewed on camera– Completed an impression survey

The Classroom• Medical School Histology Lab• Students used their own laptops• Built-in ethernet connections• Ceiling-mounted projector• Seats about 30 people

Course layout

• 3 two-hour sessions– Classroom

• Second Life Safari @ Wolverine Island• Virtual First Responder @ Play2Train

– Field Trip• Virtual First Responder @ The CAVE

Second Life Safari• First session• Intensive SL ‘bootcamp’ session

– Held on Wolverine Island– Equipment shakedown

– SL basic skills• Movement/navigation • Communication• Avatar customization• Inventory management

“Second Life Safari” this Friday as part of Enriching Scholarship

Virtual First Responder @ Play2Train

• Second session – Exploring use of SL in the context of

conducting mass casualty triage training

• Play2Train disaster simulator

• Triage activity– collaborative groups– evaluate casualty mannequins– Assign preliminary triage level

– Whole-class summary

Triage Mannequins

• ‘Sculpty’ object statues– bought commercially

• Edited for project– variety of postures – textured and colored– Click for diagnostic findings

Video InterludeVirtual First Responder @ Play2Train

Virtual First Responder @ The CAVE

• Third session • Field trip to U of M’s CAVE

– Introduction to the CAVE by facility director– Triage presentation by Dr. Wilkerson– CAVE triage experience

Video InterludeVirtual First Responder @ CAVE

Factors considered

• How should we introduce VR to this audience in a way that is relevant to them?

• Student knowledge level– Computer savvy– Medical training

• Medical relevance of content

• Hardware capabilities of student laptops– Laptop and network concerns

• Technical savvy of our own staff– SL Scripting and Building skills

Course Support Staff

Marc Stephens co-course designer, instructional design, course facilitator

Chris Chapman co-course designer, instructional design, and camerawork support

Roger Burns laptop/hardware/network support

Jason Engling in-world camerawork for Play2Train

Patricia Anderson Second Life liaison, in-world instructional assistant

Bill Wilkerson, MD triage presentation, consulting withcourse designers

Staff of the CAVE facility at Duderstadt Center

Staff of Play2Train in Second Life

Wish list for next time…

• Distance learners– use of SL’s voice capabilities

• More interface with Emergency Medicine faculty – More in depth medical relevance– Possible course integration

• More advanced training equipment– CPR dummies in the CAVE– Advanced triage mannequins in SL

Let’s Try it Now!

• Four computers around the seminar room

• First responder avatars• Triage activity at Play2Train• Handouts from student

session at each computer

Marc R. Stephens, MAEDMemetic Projects @ SL

marque@umich.edu

734-763-0297

Chris ChapmanDetroit Congrejo @ SL

chapmanc@umich.edu

734-936-2903

Questions & Answers

Thanks for attending!