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Collaborative Work on 3D Content in Virtual

Environments:Methodology and

Recommendations

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

Norway

20.07.2011IADIS International Conference e-Learning, Rome, Italy

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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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Contribution

• Explorative case study results• Comparison of the case study results

to the one conducted in similar settings

• Original methodology for work with 3D content

• Recommendations for supporting collaborative work on 3D educational content

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Visualizing research projectsCase study

• Study– 25 students in 7 groups (master and PhD,

Norwegian and international)

• Task– visualize a representation of any research

project and present it by role-playing

• Data– direct observation,– virtual artifacts (chat log and 3D

constructions)– group essays

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Visualizing research projectsContext

• TARGET International Summer School– seminars– international visitors– building competition

• Norwegian Science Week festival– visualization examples– social environment– participants from different communities– real life visitors

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• Programming history museum• The effect of Kung-Fu training on

health• The biggest solar skin in Norway• Furniture constructing design project• Prototype presentation workshop• Concurrent design methodology• An intersection between digital art

and software technology

Visualizing research projectsList of constructions

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Visualizing research projects

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Visualizing research projects

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Visualizing research projects

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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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Case study resultsCollaborative process

• Appropriate use of:– synchronous and asynchronous

modes– other cooperation tools– real-life meetings

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Case study resultsDesign choices and role-playing

• Constructions– visual shells– types of content

• Presentation styles– interactive elements– authentic avatars– audience involvement

• Inspiration by other constructions

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Case study resultsVisualization and increased understanding

• Understanding own projects– construction of meaning

• Understanding other projects– engaging elements

• Comparing to a 2D slide-presentation– interactivity– flexibility– innovativeness

– complexity– “too exciting”– lack of

feedback

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DiscussionComparison of 2 case studies

• Content level– wider design choices– better organized presentations

• Service level– new facilities => elaborated

constructions– more appealing environment

• Community level– wider audience– “crystalized” activities

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Recommendations for collaborative work on 3D Content in CVEs• Content level

– virtual exhibits, visual shells and dynamics

• Service level– resources and tutorials

• Community level– connecting communities,

community spaces, community repository, etc.

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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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