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An Immersive 3D Virtual Environment to Support Collaborative Learning and Teaching

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Book cover Computational Urban Planning and Management for Smart Cities (CUPUM 2019)

Abstract

This paper reflects on a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in the context of architecture , urban planning and design . The paper aims to critically assess the ability of virtual environments to support experiential online learning. It contributes to the literature by providing the experimental results of implementing the TERF virtual world for undergraduate and graduate Built Environment courses. TERF virtual world provides videos and other communication tools to support collaboration among students. Feedback on the usage and functionality of this 3D virtual platform was collected from students through post evaluation surveys. This experiment provided opportunities to facilitate team communication and a route to more collaborative leaning. It is also discussed the strengths and limitations of the 3D collaborative virtual environment to support deeper learning environment .

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank 3D immersive Collaboration Consulting for providing free licenses for the TERF platform and technical support and training so that the authors could conduct this evaluation .

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Correspondence to Aida Afrooz .

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Afrooz, A., Ding, L., Pettit, C. (2019). An Immersive 3D Virtual Environment to Support Collaborative Learning and Teaching. In: Geertman, S., Zhan, Q., Allan, A., Pettit, C. (eds) Computational Urban Planning and Management for Smart Cities. CUPUM 2019. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19424-6_15

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