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 .
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
3D Immersive Collaboration Consulting (2011) TERF. Available online at http://www.3dicc.com/. Accessed on 27 Nov 2017
Bennett S, Maton K, Kervin L (2008) The ‘digital natives’ debate. A critical review of the evidence. Br J Educ Technol 39(5):775–786. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2007.00793.x
Bouras C, Tsiatsos T (2006) Educational virtual environments. Design rationale and architecture. In: Multimedia tools and applications. Kluwer Academic Publishers, vol 29(2), pp 153–173
Bouras C, Fotakis D, Kapoulas V, Koubek A, Mayer H, Rehatschek H (1999) Virtual European school-VES. In: Proceedings IEEE international conference on multimedia computing and systems. ICMCS99: IEEE multimedia systems ‘99: international conference on multimedia computing and systems. Florence, Italy, 7–11 June 1999: IEEE Computer Society, pp 1055–1057
Bower M, Lee MJW, Dalgarno B (2017) Collaborative learning across physical and virtual worlds. Factors supporting and constraining learners in a blended reality environment. Br J Educ Technol 48(2):407–430. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12435
Cho YH, Lim KTY (2017) Effectiveness of collaborative learning with 3D virtual worlds. Br J Edu Technol 48(1):202–211. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12356
Cohn D (2016) Active learning. In: Sammut C (ed) Encyclopedia of machine learning and data mining. Springer, Berlin, New York, Heidelberg, pp 9–14. Available online at: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-1-4899-7687-1_916.pdf
DeNoyelles A, Seo KKJ (2012) Inspiring equal contribution and opportunity in a 3d multi-user virtual environment. Bringing together men gamers and women non-gamers in Second Life®. Comput Educ 58(1):21–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.07.007
Dickey MD (2005) Three-dimensional virtual worlds and distance learning. Two case studies of Active Worlds as a medium for distance education. Br J Educ Technol 36(3):439–451. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2005.00477.x
Fonseca D, Redondo E, Valls F, Villagrasa S (2017a) Technological adaptation of the student to the educational density of the course. A case study. 3D architectural visualization. Comput Hum Behav 72:599–611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.05.048
Fonseca D, Villagrasa S, Navarro I, Redondo E, Valls F, Llorca J et al (2017b) Student motivation assessment using and learning virtual and gamified urban environments. In: Dodero JM, Sáiz MSI, Rube IR (eds) The 5th international conference proceedings of the 5th international conference on technological ecosystems for enhancing multiculturality—TEEM 2017. Spain. ACM Press, New York, USA, pp 1–7
Freita MR, de Ruschel RC (2013) What is happening to virtual and augmentes reality applied to architecture? In: Stouffs R, Janssen P, Roudavski S, Tunçer B (eds) Proceedings of the 18th international conference on computer-aided architectural design research in Asia (CAADRIA 2013). The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA), Hong Kong
Fruchter R (2014) Transformative 3D immersive collaboration environment in support of AEC global teamwork. In: Issa RI, Flood I (eds) Computing in civil and building engineering (2014). 2014 international conference on computing in civil and building engineering. Orlando, Florida, United States, 23–25 June 2014. American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, pp 1425–1432
Hai-Jew S (ed) (2011) Virtual immersive and 3D learning spaces: IGI global
Kalyuga S (2007) Enhancing instructional efficiency of interactive E-learning environments. A Cogn Load Perspect Educ Psychol Rev 19(3):387–399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-007-9051-6
Lee M (2009) How can 3d virtual worlds be used to support collaborative learning? An analysis of cases from the literature. J e-Learn Knowl Soc 5(1):149–158
Monahan T, McArdle G, Bertolotto M (2008) Virtual reality for collaborative e-learning. Comput Educ 50(4):1339–1353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2006.12.008
NSW Department of Education (2018) Learning for the future. NSW Department of Education. Australia. Available online at https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/learning-for-the-future/future-focused-learning-and-teaching/project-based-learning-resource-guide/introducing-project-based-learning, checked on 10/10/2018
Pioggia G, Carbonaro N, Anania G, Tognetti A, Tartarisco G, Ferro M et al (2010) Interreality. The use of advanced technologies in the assessment and treatment of psychological stress. In: 2010 10th international conference on intelligent systems design and applications (ISDA). Cairo, Egypt, 29/11/2010–1/12/2010: IEEE, pp 1047–1051
Reisoğlu I, Topu B, Yılmaz R, Karakuş Yılmaz T, Göktaş Y (2017) 3D virtual learning environments in education. A meta-review. Asia Pacific Educ Rev 18(1):81–100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-016-9467-0
Soukup C (2004) Multimedia performance in a computer-mediated community. Communication as a virtual drama. J Comput-Mediated Commun 9(4):0. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2004.tb00294.x
Wang CX, Calandra B, Hibbard ST, McDowell Lefaiver ML (2012) Learning effects of an experimental EFL program in second life. Educat Tech Res Dev 60(5):943–961. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-012-9259-0
Wang X, Laffey J, Xing W, Galyen K, Stichter J (2017) Fostering verbal and non-verbal social interactions in a 3D collaborative virtual learning environment. A case study of youth with Autism spectrum disorders learning social competence in iSocial. Educat Tech Res Dev 65(4):1015–1039. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-017-9512-7
Yin L (2010) Integrating 3D visualization and GIS in planning education. J Geogr High Educ 34(3):419–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098260903556030
Zhang B, Benton S, Pearson W, LeMoine J, Herbertson N, Williams H, Goodman L (2016) Playing 3D. Digital technologies and novel 3d virtual environments to support the needs of Chinese learners in western education: cross-cultural collaboration, gamification, well-being and social inclusion. In: 2016 22nd international conference on virtual system & multimedia (VSMM). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 17/10/2016–21/10/2016: IEEE, pp 1–9
Zuiker SJ (2012) Educational virtual environments as a lens for understanding both precise repeatability and specific variation in learning ecologies. Br J Edu Technol 43(6):981–992. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2011.01266.x
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 .
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
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
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19424-6_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-19423-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-19424-6
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)