Abstract
Three-dimensional virtual worlds are multimedia, simulated environments, often managed over the Web, which users can ’inhabit’ and interact via their own graphical, self-representations known as ’avatars’. 3D virtual worlds are being used in many applications: education/training, gaming, social networking, marketing and commerce. Second Life is the most widely used 3D virtual world in education. However, problems associated with usability, navigation and way finding in 3D virtual worlds may impact on student learning and engagement. Based on empirical investigations of learning spaces in Second Life, this paper presents design guidelines to improve the usability and ease of navigation in 3D spaces. Methods of data collection include semi-structured interviews with Second Life students, educators and designers. The findings have revealed that design principles from the fields of urban planning, Human- Computer Interaction, Web usability, geography and psychology can influence the design of spaces in 3D multi-user virtual environments.
Chapter PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Meadows, M.S.: I, Avatar: The culture and consequences of having a Second Life. New Riders, California (2008)
Minocha, S., Roberts, D.: Laying the groundwork for Socialisation and Knowledge Construction within 3D Virtual Worlds. ALT J. 16(3), 181–196 (2008)
Ruddle, R.P., Payne, S.J., Jones, D.M.: Navigating buildings in “desk-top” virtual environments: Experimental investigations using extended navigational experience. J. Experimental Psychology 3(2), 143–159 (1997)
Darken, R.P., Banker, W.P.: Navigating in natural environments: A virtual environment training transfer study. In: IEEE Virtual Reality Annual International Symposium, pp. 12–19 (1998)
Lynch, K.: The Image of the City. MIT Press, Cambridge (1960)
Vinson, N.G.: Design Guidelines for Landmarks to Support Navigation in Virtual Environments. In: Proc. CHI 1999, pp. 278–285. ACM Press, New York (1999)
Steck, S.D., Mallot, H.A.: The Role of Global and Local Landmarks in Virtual Environment Navigation. Presence 9(1), 69–83 (2000)
Charitos, D.: Designing Space in virtual environments for aiding wayfinding behaviour. In: Proceedings of the 4th UK Virtual Reality SIG Conference, Brunel University (1997)
Conroy-Dalton, R.: Is spatial intelligibility critical to the design of large scale virtual environments? International Journal of Design Computing 4, 1329–7147 (2002)
Dickey, M.D.: An architectural perspective for the design of educational virtual environments. J. Visual Literacy 24(1), 49–66 (2004)
Minocha, S., Reeves, A.J.R.: Design of Learning Spaces in 3D Virtual Worlds: An Empirical Investigation of Second Life. J. Learning Media and Technology, accepted and to appear in the special issue on Learning in Virtual Worlds for Learning, Media & Technology (2010)
Lucia, A.D., Francesse, R., Passero, I., Tortora, G.: Development and evaluation of a virtual campus on Second Life. Computers & Education 52(1), 220–233 (2009)
Braun, V., Clarke, V.: Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3, 77–101 (2006)
Lidwell, W., Holden, K., Butler, J.: Universal Principles of Design. Rockport, Inc. (2003)
Lakoff, G., Johnson, M.: Metaphors we live by. The University of Chicago Press (2003)
Oblinger, D.: Learning Spaces. EDUCAUSE, London (2006)
Isbister, K., Schaffer, N.: Game Usability: Advice from the experts for advancing the player experience. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, San Francisco (2008)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 IFIP
About this paper
Cite this paper
Minocha, S., Reeves, A.J. (2010). Interaction Design and Usability of Learning Spaces in 3D Multi-user Virtual Worlds. In: Katre, D., Orngreen, R., Yammiyavar, P., Clemmensen, T. (eds) Human Work Interaction Design: Usability in Social, Cultural and Organizational Contexts. HWID 2009. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 316. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11762-6_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11762-6_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-11761-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-11762-6
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)