Psychology on Second Life?: Learning, Support and Research in 3D Online Multi-user Virtual Environments.

Psychology on Second Life? Learning, Support and Research in 3D Online Multi-user Virtual Environments . Simon Bignell Lecturer in Psychology University of Derby, UK Email: s.bignell@derby.ac.uk Twitter: ‘MiltonBroome’

Disclosure No conflict of interest to declare

Acknowledgements

The Rise of the Net
As of March 2007, worldwide there are 1.114 billion people using the Internet. (http://www.internetworldstats.com).
The speed at which this technology has been adopted into society has been described as revolutionary, with particularly significant saturation into schools, work and family environments (Stanley, 2001).
Educators, Researchers and Support Groups have all embraced the potential.

Harvard University
MIT
Oxford University
University of Texas
Francisco State
New York University
Vassar College
Trinity University
University of Buffalo
Nottingham University
Staffordshire University
Leicestershire University
Paisley University
+ many more
The Rise of Virtual Worlds

Why Virtual Worlds?
They allow users to be able to carry out tasks that could be difficult in the real world
Cost
Scheduling
Location
Ethics
Virtual worlds have the capability to adapt and grow to different user needs.

Why Virtual Worlds?
Persistence allows for continuing and growing social interactions, which themselves can serve as a basis for collaborative education.
Virtual worlds represent a powerful new media for instruction and education.
The use of virtual worlds can give practitioners/educators the opportunity to have a greater level of client/student participation.

Problem-based Learning in Virtual Interactive Educational Worlds for Psychology (PREVIEW-Psych)
The project implemented a user-focused approach to develop immersive collaborative tutorials and materials in 3D a multi-user virtual world (Second Life).
Used problem-based learning scenarios dealing with Depression , Schizophrenia , Alcoholism and Anorexia .
Used automated ‘intelligent’ avatars to role-play scenarios in a simulation of a family home.

Learning and Teaching in Virtual Worlds
Immersive
Engaging
Cost Effective
Flexible
Fun

Supporting People
Hundreds of support groups in Second Life.
Like-minded people form SL groups and have regular meetings.
Examples:
Autism Society of America
Virtual Ability
Appeal is immersive social qualities and 'community building'.

Research in Virtual Worlds
Virtual worlds can be used for qualitative and quantitative data collection.
Can be used as a virtual laboratory to run participants across a number of paradigms.
Social Psychology experiments.
Groups and individuals under different social settings.
Modified and customised environments and avatars.
Identity and Personality experiments.
Gender swap, facial disfigurement.
Cognitive Experiments.
Face perception, error and latency data.
Unlimited supply of (cheap) participants 24hrs a day

A Framework for Learning, Support and Research in Multi-User Virtual Worlds

A Framework for Learning, Support and Research in Multi-User Virtual Worlds.
Learning and Teaching
Sound pedagogy, Blended, Supplementary.
Support
User-oriented, Dynamic, Responsive.
Research
Ethics, Methodology, Validity.
The interaction between these three factors is critical for success.

Tools, Techniques and Technologies
Tools
Virtual Infrastructure, PowerPoint Presenters, Avatars, Gadgets, Building, Scripting,
Techniques
Inductions, Camera, Movement, Inventory, Communion, (text, voice and video), Appearance, Groups, Mashups/Blended contents, overcoming resistance, facilitating virtually, dealing with disembodiment
Technologies
Broadband, GPU, CPU, Server Speed, Lag, Client, Firewalls, Peripherals, Updates.

A Framework for Learning, Support and Research in Multi-User Virtual Worlds

Psychology in well placed to engage with many aspects of Virtual Worlds:
A platform for your ideas.
Collaboration and interactivity.
Support and community.
Research and scholarship.
Activity-based learning.
Leveraging a game-based culture for training.
Need work within a framework:
Learning, Support and Research.
Tools, techniques and technology.
Summary

Thank you

Simon Bignell Centre for Psychological Research University of Derby, UK [email_address] +44 (0)1332 593043 (ext: 3043) www.MiltonBroome.com www.PREVIEW-Psych.org Twitter: ‘MiltonBroome’

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Psychology on Second Life?: Learning, Support and Research in 3D Online Multi-user Virtual Environments.

by Simon Bignell

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