Developing an interaction model for learning in virtual worlds
Trevor Barker, Steve Bennett
University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
BackgroundThis short paper describes work in progress at our university in developing and testing an interaction model for learning in virtual worlds. We have established a virtual campus within the Second Life system where a broad range of learning and teaching activities take place. These include presenting textual, audio and video learning and teaching materials, delivering virtual lectures, providing simulations and group working areas. It has been important therefore to understand the pedagogical issues related to working and learning in this way.Approach usedMy own past research this area, over several years has related to an estimation of the cognitive load imposed by desktop virtual environments and how this affected learning (Haik et al. 2004). Several important variables were identified in several years of research and their effects measured. In the study described here, a group of eighty final year computer science students used the Second Life virtual environment in order to support their practical project work. Groups of four learners used an especially modified campus area in order to hold group meetings and to manage their own project work. The study reports on how the group areas were established and used by the learners, the types of activities that took place.Results of work doneQuantitative and qualitative evidence, including comparisons with other systems such as Eluminate is provided in the paper. We were able to show in this way that there were benefits to be had by the use of virtual environments for learning. Also discussed however are the potential dangers inherent in this initiative that we found related to individual differences and the cognitive burden imposed on learners.ConclusionAn important focus of our research was the development of interaction models related to the affordances of working and learning in such spaces. We present our model and describe how we intend to evaluate it in future.Haik E., Barker T., Sapsford J., & Trainis S. (2004). Supporting users in virtual environments: augmented navigation and task performance. Proceedings of the Virtual Reality Design and Evaluation Workshop. Nottingham, UK: University of Nottingham.no references included