Creating genetic applications for informal science learning in multi-user virtual environments or virtual worlds

Maher, Christopher A.; Corbit, Margaret

doi:10.1109/enabl.2001.953430

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 2 publications

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“…Although the developers, the audience, and science fair youth currently participating in our pilot efforts each represent subgroups of this community, it will be important to establish and maintain communications and movement among them. We will combine formal efforts to coordinate activities with nurturing the ephemeral communities of practice (Maher & Corbit, 2001) that emerge among users from the different subgroups.…”

Section: Social Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building Virtual Worlds for Informal Science Learning (SciCentr and SciFair) in the Active Worlds Educational Universe (AWEDU)

Corbit

2002

Presence: Teleoperators & Virtual Environments

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As a focus of its exploration of desktop 3-D environments for science outreach, the Cornell Theory Center (CTC), Cornell University's high-performance computing center, has been exploring the use of the Active Worlds client/server technology for implementation of a 3-D multiuser virtual science museum, SciCentr, that incorporates interactive simulation-based exhibits. We present here early lessons in accommodating the needs of several interconnected user groups as we move forward with establishing the SciCentr community within the greater educational community of Active Worlds Educational Universe (AWEDU) and the Contact Consortium's VLearn3D initiative. We learned that we must provide the user communities with both social and spatial frameworks within which to work and play. Social support ranges from one-on-one, over-the-shoulder help, to guidance and training within the environment, to coordination of "inworld" activities and inperson pizza parties. Spatial design requirements depend on the activities of the user group and benefit from study of real and virtual world examples. Our experience to date with a pilot group of teenaged participants is encouraging, and we believe that this medium has potential as a resource for constructivist informal science and technology education.

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Section: Social Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%