Second Life: an overview of the potential of 3‐D virtual worlds in medical and health education

Boulos, Maged N. Kamel; Hetherington, Lee; Wheeler, Steve

doi:10.1111/j.1471-1842.2007.00733.x

Cited by 521 publications

(313 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In order to enhance the learning experience visitors can learn, in great detail, about DNA and human chromosomes, and explore a giant 3-D eukaryotic cell, etc. (Boulos et al, 2007;Wiecha, Heyden, Sternthai, & Merialdi, 2010).…”

Section: Second Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Ohio University created a "Nutrition Game" (Boulos, Hetherington, & Wheeler, 2007), where users can learn about the impact of fast food on health. Players are allowed to experiment with various eating styles in simulated fast-food restaurants, with the final goal to make healthy choices that will result in a high score for the game and a positive effect on health.…”

Section: Second Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Virtual laboratories for education in science, technology, and engineering: A review

Potkonjak

Gardner

Callaghan

et al. 2016

Computers & Education

685

383

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Abstract.Within education, concepts such as distance learning, and open universities, are now becoming more widely used for teaching and learning. However, due to the nature of the subject domain, the teaching of Science, Technology, and Engineering are still relatively behind when using new technological approaches (particularly for online distance learning). The reason for this discrepancy lies in the fact that these fields often require laboratory exercises to provide effective skill acquisition and hands-on experience. Often it is difficult to make these laboratories accessible for online access. Either the real lab needs to be enabled for remote access or it needs to be replicated as a fully software-based virtual lab. We argue for the latter concept since it offers some advantages over remotely controlled real labs, which will be elaborated further in this paper.We are now seeing new emerging technologies that can overcome some of the potential difficulties in this area. These include: computer graphics, augmented reality, computational dynamics, and virtual worlds. This paper summarizes the state of the art in virtual laboratories and virtual worlds in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. The main research activity in these fields is discussed but special emphasis is put on the field of robotics due to the maturity of this area within the virtual-education community. This is not a coincidence; starting from its widely multidisciplinary character, robotics is a perfect example where all the other fields of engineering and physics can contribute. Thus, the use of virtual labs for other scientific and non-robotic engineering uses can be seen to share many of the same learning processes. This can include supporting the introduction of new concepts as part of learning about science and technology, and introducing more general engineering knowledge, through to supporting more constructive (and collaborative) education and training activities in a more complex engineering topic such as robotics. The objective of this paper is to outline this problem space in more detail and to create a valuable source of information that can help to define the starting position for future research.Key words: virtual laboratory, dynamics based virtual reality, virtual world, distance learning for engineering/STEM education, immersive education IntroductionRecently we have seen a number of new ideas appearing in the literature concerned with the future of education and in particular for the teaching of Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE 1 ). Some of these notions are novel while others are a re-imagining of existing ideas but in a new context. Technological examples most relevant for this study are: distance learning, elearning, virtual laboratories, virtual reality and virtual worlds, avatars, dynamics-based virtual systems, and the overall new concept of immersive education that integrates many of these ideas together. Many highly reputable institutions 2 have gathered around this challenging concept, withi...

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Section: Second Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Second Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual laboratories for education in science, technology, and engineering: A review

Potkonjak

Gardner

Callaghan

et al. 2016

Computers & Education

685

383

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…An example of increasing public involvement was presented by Boulos et al [18] environment to raise public awareness about sexual health. An online 3D virtual world such as Second Life (SL) with social networking capabilities has been surveyed to highlight positive impact on its audience.…”

Section: Background and Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Game-Based Training Approach to Enhance Human Hand Motor Learning and Control Abilities

Asadipour

Debattista

Chalmers

2015

2015 7th International Conference on Games and Virtual Worlds for Serious Applications (VS-Games)

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“…Most of these focus on general health promotion and education for lay residents, and some also contribute to the education and training of health professionals, both pre-service and in-service (Beard, Wilson, Morra & Keelan, 2009). The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for example, have a substantial presence in Second Life in the form of CDC Island (Boulos, Hetherington & Wheeler, 2007). This site contains informative displays and offers opportunities for users to interact with various virtual objects (e.g.…”

Section: Teaching and Learning In Virtual Realitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the MUVE or in decline: Reflecting on the sustainability of the Virtual Birth Centre developed in Second Life

Stewart

Davis

2012

AJET

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Pressures in terms of the availability of quality, real-life clinical experiences for students have resulted in increased interest in the use of simulation in a variety of healthcare disciplines. Te wahi whanau: The birth place is a Virtual Birth Centre (VBC) that was created in Second Life in 2009 as part of the Second Life Education in New Zealand (SLENZ) initiative. It was introduced to midwifery students at two New Zealand polytechnics, with the aim of exposing the students to a birth centre environment and providing them with an opportunity to practise midwifery through immersion and engagement in a number of clinical scenarios. It has been just over two years since the development of the VBC, yet it is no longer used in the midwifery programs in which it was introduced. Using the VBC as a case study, we recount its development and critically reflect on the factors impacting on its ongoing utilisation. We believe our reflections offer useful insight into issues relating more broadly to the sustainability of MUVE-based teaching and learning projects and initiatives.

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Second Life: an overview of the potential of 3‐D virtual worlds in medical and health education

Abstract: This hybrid review-case study introduces three-dimensional (3-D) virtual worlds and their educational potential to medical/health librarians and educators.

Cited by 521 publications

References 9 publications

Virtual laboratories for education in science, technology, and engineering: A review

Virtual laboratories for education in science, technology, and engineering: A review

A Game-Based Training Approach to Enhance Human Hand Motor Learning and Control Abilities

On the MUVE or in decline: Reflecting on the sustainability of the Virtual Birth Centre developed in Second Life

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