Introduction to the Project
This project aims to enhance student engagement and learning opportunities by creating and embedding advanced specialised simulations in a three-dimensional virtual world for the purpose of enhancing experiential learning. Such tools aim to provide simulated experiences that parallel the experiences, tasks and the opportunities for problem solving in the real world, and improve student retention throughout their degrees by engaging students in enquiry-based activities and reflexive assessment tasks. As such, online activities draw on the enthusiasms, skills and usual activities of many young people. At the same time, adaptations of the techniques drawn from simulation games are increasingly being used in many organisations, (such as the aeronautical, defence industries and medical procedures) for situations where the acquiring of real life skills are not always possible in the actual situations.
UnivSA Island. The University's current 3D Virtual Learning Environment located within Second Life.
This project, which is funded by an Australian Learning and Teaching Council grant, builds on and advances work undertaken through the support of a University Teaching and Learning Grant (T & L) and contributions from the School of Communication, School of Education, Flexible Learning Centre and a Research Grant provided by the Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences. The funding provided with the support of the University Teaching and Learning Grant in late 2007 enabled the project team to purchase a virtual space in Second Life (SL) and to trial the use of 3D virtual world technologies in a range of disciplinary areas. Initial trials were conducted over a Summer School course in 2008, "From Mickey to Manga", which focuses on the cultural meaning of animation. This semester students enrolled in three undergraduate courses in "Digital Media Techniques", "Design for Interactive Media" and "Electronic Publishing on the Internet" are undertaking some components of their studies in SL. The latter are being undertaken in a blended learning environment (face to face with online components). The aim of these trials is to enable the project team to evaluate student experiences and to explore a range of pedagogical approaches aimed at facilitating learner engagement.
The Divisional Research Grant provided the funding for the purchase of a server enabling the project team to develop a proof of concept for a proposed 3D Virtual Learning Environment (3DVLE) that is accessible to students with disabilities and can ultimately link to emerging education grids internationally and within Australia, which aim to provide a common gateway enabling students access to the 3D worlds (both university hosted and public) linked to these grids. Funding from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council from 2008-2010 has enabled this project to proceed from proof of concept to a fully integrated, operational open source environment.
Specific details relating to the UniSA Teaching and Learning funded project, the UniSA Divisional Research funded project and the development stage of the research, which has been funded by the Australian and Learning Teaching Council, are provided via the navigation links on this page.
Support for this project website has been provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Ltd, an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
The views expressed in the project do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council.