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Virtual Worlds and Health Rashid Kashani, BA, BSc, BScOT, MScOT(C)(R) Occupational Therapist / PhD Student
Virtual Worlds and Health
Rashid Kashani, BA, BSc, BScOT, MScOT(C)(R)Occupational Therapist / PhD Student
Outline
• What are Virtual Worlds (VW s)?
• Current clinical uses, studies
• Why use a VW at all?• Demonstration,
further examples• Current research in
development – client and student focused
What Many Think When Hearing the Term “Virtual Worlds”…
So What are Virtual Worlds?
• A virtual world is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface.
• There are many different types of virtual worlds, however there are six features all of them have in common:
• Shared Space • Graphical User Interface• Immediacy • Interactivity• Persistence • Socialization/Community• Education in Second Life
Current Clinical Uses
Current Clinical Uses
Limitations and Barriers
Perceived:• Cost• Too hard to use• Real is better than virtual
Real:• Habits• Learning of some new
skills required• Sometimes real is better
than virtual (but sometimes it’s the other way around too!)
• Need for further research, infancy of technology
So why use VWs at all?
• Interactivity• Safety• Training costs• Immersion• Shift in type of
learning/experiences• The 3D Web is
coming – remember what happened when…
Demonstrations
Jefferson Occupational Therapy in Second Life®UPDATE
Virtual Nursing Education in Second Life
“In-World” Demonstration on “Ability Island”
Others….
Current Research in Development – Student / Learner Focused
Current Research in Development – Client / Patient Focused
Current Research in Development – Client / Patient Focused
Contact Information
• RL – [email protected]
(780) 407 1333
Aberhart Centre 8311 (3 floor)
• SL – IM: Rashid Singh
