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ConceptualizingVirtual Research Arena
Framework
Mikhail Fominykh and Ekaterina Prasolova-FørlandNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Norway
21.09.2011European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning, Palermo, Italy
Learning Activities across Physical and Virtual Spaces
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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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Goals of the paper and presentation
• Consolidate results of our previous studies on the use of 3D CVEs for learning
• Conceptualize Virtual Research Arena (VRA) framework
• Feedbacks and discussion
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Educational virtual city designVirtual Research Arena context
Virtualcampus
VirtualResearch
Arena
Virtualmuseum
Virtualclub
Multi-usergame
Contextualgame
Informationplace
Socializingplace
Virtuallab
Universcity
Entertainment layer
Layer of education and research
Cultural layerSoci
al la
yer
Virtualstage
Seriousgame
Communityfacilities
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Virtual City projects
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Virtual Campus
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Virtual Research Arena
• a framework for creating awareness about educational and research activities, promoting cross-fertilization between different environments and engaging the general public– Virtual Science Fair at Norwegian Science
week– Student projects “cooperation technology”
course
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Virtual Science Fair
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Virtual Science Fair
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Virtual Science Fair in physical space
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Virtual Science Fair is still there
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Visualizing research projects
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Visualizing research projects
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Conceptualization
• Content level– content types, visualization
means and dynamics
• Service level– tools and features
• Community level– connecting communities,
community spaces, community repository, etc.
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Conceptualization
VirtualResearch
Arena
Workplace (tools & tutorials)Virtual libraryVirtual stage
Virtual gallery
CreativeVirtual
Workshop
Social layerLayer of ed. and research
Cultural layerEntertainment layer
Universcity
Authentic environmentLearning & researchingSocializing
VirtualCampus
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Content level
• Typology of the 3D content and visualization means– content types in 3D CVEs (text,
multimedia and 3D objects) + dynamics
– visualization means in 3D CVEs (aesthetics, functionality and expressed meaning)
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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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Service level
• Creative Virtual Workshop– Virtual workplace– Virtual library– Virtual stage
– Virtual gallery• Virtual campus
– appealing atmosphere– container for places and tools
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Community level
• Connect educational, cultural, social and entertainment activities– ‘Universcity’ framework
• Domain and engaging issues• Community spaces• Support for ties between
communities• Boundary objects• Community repository
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Challenges
• Complexity of assessing and evaluating collaborative work on 3D content
• Sophistication and ambiguity of 3D visualizations
• Difficulty of establishing communities in 3D CVEs
• Possibilities of connecting physical and virtual spaces and events
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Thank you!
Mikhail Fominykh and Ekaterina Prasolova-FørlandNorwegian University of Science and Technology,
Norwayhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/NTNU/
[email protected], [email protected]
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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