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Virtual Worlds in Education. Educational Psychology. Computing Science. Dr Patricia Boechler Erik deJong Jeff Klassen. Dr Mike Carbonaro Wayne Thomas Corbett Artym. Dr Eleni Stroulia Matthew Delaney. Creating a Virtual Campus in OpenSim. Issues, Obstacles, and Successes.
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Virtual Worlds in Education Educational Psychology Computing Science Dr Patricia Boechler Erik deJong Jeff Klassen Dr Mike Carbonaro Wayne Thomas Corbett Artym Dr EleniStroulia Matthew Delaney
Creating a Virtual Campus in OpenSim Issues, Obstacles, and Successes
Based on five key tasks 4 Interiors were represented Roughly 1500m2 of outdoor space represented The Development Phase
Virtual Campus should accurately represent the real world Campus with as much detail as possible 1 to 1 Scale
In February 2012, we piloted the environment with 60 current students in groups of 20 Overloading the server
5 Sessions • Students were taken on a 1.5 hour tour • Experienced student tour guides • Veterans of real world orientation Tour Sessions
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 Post-Tour Survey
I felt the virtual campus was a place I visited rather than something I was looking at. I had the sense of being in the same space as my fellow students. 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) 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. I felt like I was listening to/addressing the facilitators in the virtual world. It was easy to use the voice chat feature. It was easy to use the text chat feature.
The virtual world download instructions were clear. The virtual world download process was trouble free. I struggled with the virtual world download process. The virtual world download process was too long.
I now have a good sense of the layout of the campus. The virtual orientation session has increased my confidence about attending the University of Alberta. I would recommend to a new student to sign up for the virtual orientation sessions. After the virtual tour, I feel I will be able to find my way around campus when I arrive.