3D Virtual Classroom Environment for Teaching Renewable Energy Production and Substation Equipment

Abstract

In this investigation, a virtual classroom for Uşak University's Electricity Program is designed, implemented and then tested by using the 3D virtual environment Second Life. When online, learners and instructors are able to correspond with each other by using their own avatars, chat vocally, make presentations and watch videos, as well as utilise all opportunities of a 3D virtual environment. Furthermore, learners can access the educational materials of the Electricity Program and interact with each other even when the educator is not available, giving opportunities for both synchronous and asynchronous distance education. The 3D virtual environment is analysed and evaluated here in terms of education costs, and advantages or disadvantages for both learner and educator.

Students’ Perception on Blending Instructional 3D Animation in Engineering Courses

“…58.8% (20) of participants were aged from 18 to 24, where 41.2% (10) were aged from 25 to 34. The participant came from different engineering majors from the same faculty, 23.5% (8) Findings found in this research study is arranged in terms of the research questions presented in this paper:…”

“…Secondly, a study conducted on learning of peritoneal embryogenesis via three-dimensional imagery have been proven to be significantly more effective as compared to the traditional teaching using static drawings, the superiority of the three-dimensional technique is higher for the dynamic phenomena [7]. The third study on renewable energy system which based on a wind power was introduced within the 3D virtual environment and taught to students in power systems studies, many more learning activities which were possible in the virtual classroom, comparing to real-world classroom activities, it was obvious that the motivational level of the students in the 3D virtual environment was higher than in a conventional classroom environment [8].…”

Virtual Worlds and Their Uses in Chemical Education

“…Most importantly, educators are now conducting SL-based classes in a variety of disciplines. Though not intended as an exhaustive list, college-level disciplines taught in SL include archeology (20,35), biology (36), computer science (21,37), education (17), engineering (38,39), English (17,18), Library studies (40), information systems (41), media and communications (17,20,35,42), medicine and health (43)(44)(45)(46)(47), photography (20,35), physics (48,49), psychology and psychiatry (19,50,51), and security (52,53). A review of recent peer-reviewed education journals shows that the field of medicine, particularly nursing, is taking most advantage of Second Life as a venue for teaching.…”

Design, simulation and virtual implementation of a novel fundamental programmable logic controllers laboratory in a 3D virtual world

“…14,20,21 Many universities, more than 400 educational institutes, educational organizations, companies such as IBM, Intel, NASA, commercial and social networks are using SL. [14][15][16]19,[22][23][24] In SL, an emergency evacuation simulation, 25 an emergency service for emergency medical education, 26 an interactive museum, 27 an English language learning environment, 28 a course environment for electromagnetic theory, 29 an educational environment for power transformers, 30 a hydropower power plant for the education of students 31 and a 3D virtual classroom environment for the training of renewable energy systems 32 have been created. SL was also used at Bahrain University for educational purposes.…”