Simon Bignell (Psychology, University of Derby)

SNIC 2013, Theme 14: Virtual Environments 2

Social and Problem-Based Learning in Cyberspace: Tools, Techniques & Technology in Multi-user Virtual World

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 2 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 4 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 5 / 33

The Emergence of Virtual Worlds in Higher Education

• The Hype Cycles from Gartner provide a graphic representation of the maturity and adoption of technologies and applications.

http://www.gartner.com/

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 6 / 33

Virtual Neonatal Ward: for a Developmental Psychology Module at University of Derby

Video of Neonatal Unit (1m16s): http://youtu.be/sEd9s0toHuk

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 7 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 8 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 9 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 10 / 33

Photo of Virtual Lecture

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 11 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 12 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 13 / 33

Project webpage: http://previewpsych.org/

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 14 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 15 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 16 / 33

“We worked as a team... this seemed much more valuable than just writing an essay or having a discussion.”“I was thinking more about the real life Psychology because the avatars represented real people with real psychological problems.”

“...the content was easy to access and the tasks very enjoyable.”

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 17 / 33

Download available here:

http://previewpsych.org/BPD2.0.pdf

Best Practices Document

Best Practices in Virtual Worlds Teaching: A guide to using problem-based learning in Second Life

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 18 / 33

‘JISC - Moving into Virtual Worlds - Emerging Practice in a Digital Age’• With Aston University• JISC resources feature

commentary and reflection on pedagogical applications of virtual worlds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aTvE2OBQHc

Emerging Practice in a Digital Age JISC VIDEO http://www.jisc.ac.uk/emergeresource

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 19 / 33

• Two Sustainability / TEL Projects:– With Rosemary Horry (Environmental Sciences) funded by the Higher

Education Academy.– With Zaheer Hussain (Psychology) funded by the Higher Education Academy

Psychology Network.

• Evaluated different methods of embedding ESD in the curriculum.• Used Second Life to rate people’s pro-environmental behaviour and

attitudes to ‘green’ issues such as recycling, energy use and resources.

• Participants reported more pro-environmental behaviour a week after seeing the videos.

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 20 / 33

Educational Visual Storylines – ‘Teaching Cartoons’

• Uses a virtual world to create educational cartoons for teaching and online learning.

• Rapidly develop and deploy to modules.

• Import straight into our virtual learning platform.

• Summaries: Not dumbed down.

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 21 / 33

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 22 / 33

How to visit the University of Derby Second Life Islands: 1) Create and avatar: http://tinyurl.com/GETAN-AVATAR2) Install Second Life: http://tinyurl.com/Download-SL 3) Teleport to us: http://tinyurl.com/DERBYSECONDLIFE

Virtual Campus Flythrough (1m6s): http://youtu.be/GQnyb87Zj0o

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 23 / 33

Using problem-based learning within 3D virtual worlds

– Published book chapter in with Dr Vanessa Parson (Sunderland University, Previously at Aston).

• Parson, V. & Bignell, S. (2011). in Hinrichs, R and Wankel, C (Eds), Transforming Virtual World Learning: Cutting-edge technologies in higher education, Vol. 4, pp. 245–265. Emerald Group Publishing Limited: Teynampet, India.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transforming-Learning-Cutting-edge-Technologies-Education/dp/1780520522

A Framework for Learning, Support and Research in Multi-User Virtual Worlds

A Framework for Learning, Support and Research in Multi-User Virtual Worlds.

• Learning and Teaching– Sound pedagogy, Blended,

Supplementary.• Support– User-oriented, Dynamic, Responsive.

• Research– Ethics, Methodology, Validity.

• The interaction between these three factors is critical for success.

A Framework for Learning, Support and Research in Multi-User Virtual Worlds

• Tools• Virtual Infrastructure, Avatars, Presenters, Gadgets,

Web Integration, Audio/Visual [Building and Scripting].

• Techniques• Inductions, Camera, Movement, Inventory, Communion,

(text, voice and video), Appearance, Groups, Mashups/Blended contents, Overcoming Resistance, Facilitating Virtually, Dealing with Disembodiment.

• Technologies• Bandwidth, GPUs, CPUs, Server-side, Lag(s), Clients,

Firewalls, Peripherals, Updates.

A Framework for Learning, Support and Research in Multi-User Virtual Worlds

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 29 / 33

Contact Dr Simon Bignell

Centre for Psychological Research University of Derby, UK

s.bignell@derby.ac.uk+44 (0)1332 593043 (ext: 3043)

www.MiltonBroome.com www.PREVIEWPsych.org

SNIC 2013: Virtual Environments 2. Dr Simon Bignell, Social and Problem-based Learning in Cyberspace 30 / 33

Second Life Video Playlisthttp://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX4ftfKp-z4EAKaTUO9ALkvbbjCTYJj0G