Virtual Worlds in Education

Virtual Worlds in EducationEducational Psychology Computing Science

Dr Patricia BoechlerErik deJongJeff Klassen

Dr Mike CarbonaroWayne ThomasCorbett Artym

Dr Eleni StrouliaMatthew Delaney

Creating a Virtual Campus in OpenSimIssues, Obstacles, and Successes

THE DEVELOPMENT PHASE

The Development Phase

Based on five key tasks

4 Interiors were represented

Roughly 1500m2 of outdoor space represented

1 to 1 Scale

• Virtual Campus should accurately represent the real world Campus with as much detail as possible

ISSUES AND OBSTACLES

Importing 3D Models

Scaling the Collada/Mesh Models



Overloading the server

• In February 2012, we piloted the environment with 60 current students in groups of 20

Crossing regions: losing control

Crossing regions: losing control

Voice server set-up

User Account/Avatar set-up

Selecting an appropriate viewer

Quick Live Tour

RUNNING THE TOUR SESSIONS

Tour Sessions

• 5 Sessions• Students were

taken on a 1.5 hour tour

• Experienced student tour guides

• Veterans of real world orientation

Sample Video

STUDENT RESPONSES

Post-Tour Survey

• Survey given to participants following the tour• Questions regarding:• Usability of Virtual Campus• Information and Content• Satisfaction with tour• Expectations of visit to UofA after tour

Strongly Disagree [1]

Disagree [2] Neutral [3] Agree [4] Strongly Agree [5]

0% 0% 14% 86% 0%

I felt the virtual campus was a place I visited rather than something I was looking at.



0% 0% 14% 57% 29%

I had the sense of being in the same space as my fellow students.



0% 0% 14% 71% 14%

Having a 3D physical representation of myself in the virtual world contributed to my on-line experience over other types of on-line environments. (eg. E-mail, chat)



0% 14% 43% 14% 29%

Having a 3D physical representation of other students in the virtual world contributed to my on-line experience over other types of on-line environments.

I felt like I was listening to/addressing the other students in the virtual world.



0% 14% 0% 57% 29%

I felt like I was listening to/addressing the facilitators in the virtual world.



0% 0% 14% 29% 57%

It was easy to use the voice chat feature.



0% 14% 29% 29% 29%

It was easy to use the text chat feature.



0% 0% 0% 29% 71%

The virtual world download instructions were clear.



0% 0% 29% 43% 29%

The virtual world download process was trouble free.



0% 43% 14% 14% 29%

I struggled with the virtual world download process.



57% 0% 0% 43% 0%

The virtual world download process was too long.



29% 43% 29% 0% 0%

I would recommend to a new student to sign up for the virtual orientation sessions.



0% 0% 0% 57% 43%

The virtual orientation session has increased my confidence about attending the University of Alberta.



0% 0% 0% 71% 29%

I now have a good sense of the layout of the campus.



0% 0% 29% 71% 0%

After the virtual tour, I feel I will be able to find my way around campus when I arrive.



0% 0% 43% 57% 0%

Documents

Virtual Worlds in Education