MERITS TRAINING SYSTEM - Using Virtual Worlds for Simulation-based Training

Abstract

Virtual worlds offer a new application development platform, and are particularly appealing for creating new types of educational training programs. However, in order to enable the adoption of this platform by instructors, special-purpose authoring tools are necessary to enable domain experts to create and maintain their lessons plans. In this paper, we propose a framework for virtual world-based training, which uses the BPEL workflow language to organize educational content. The framework uses a web services-based approach to connect the content, workflows, and virtual world, thus avoiding dependence on a particular virtual world. Finally, we present a case study, currently in progress, designed to assess the utility of the framework.