Bringing learning ALIVE
Synopsis
Penny, a former senior lecturer in Computing, helped to create a virtual environment that supports games, simulations and authentic learning experiences.
Description
Penny was involved in developing a program called ALIVE, which supports 3D games and simulations in immersive virtual environments. Users can create 3D environments and models by using simple tools that don't require a lot of technical expertise but bring teaching material to life. Existing examples of its use include an astronomical model of the solar system, a medical model of the skeleton and a forensic accounting game.
Target audience
It's designed to be useful to anyone who teaches, and the Beta version is so far proving popular among USQ staff, and with Harristown High School and the Flexi-School. There are 95 users/testers at the moment, only about 8 of whom are internal to USQ – the majority are overseas.
Learning goals and objectives
The program is based on the idea that students construct their own learning through direct interaction with an environment or situation. The idea is to immerse students in the content and give them an authentic environment in which to practise skills without fear of failure in the real world. For example, a language student might attend a virtual job interview and have a formal conversation, and then visit a virtual skate park and speak informally.
It's also designed to be fun – for example, the forensic accounting game sets two groups of students against each other as one group becomes the IRS and tries to outwit the other in tracking down accounting fraud.
Who did/does what
Penny was head of a team of four – the other members were Sean Clancy, Matthew Chudleigh and Matthew Nielsen, all of whom are USQ graduates.
The project has been helped by grants and awards, including: 2005 Vice-Chancellor's Strategic Initiative Fund for the establishment of the ALIVE project; 2006 Vice-Chancellor's Strategic Initiative Fund – to examine pedagogical uses for ALIVE; 2007 Carrick Institute Competitive Grant – for seamless integration of Web3D technologies into teaching and learning materials.
Peter Albion and Janet Taylor have also provided a lot of pedagogical and academic support.
The project was given a further boost when Penny won the Smart State Women's Award in the ICT in the Public/Community sector.
Results
The original goal for ALIVE was to create a virtual USQ community, but ICT resources did not stretch to the support that this would have required, so it was modified to be more user-driven, and to be created by a community of users.
Problems and advice for others
Problems have been to do with resources and the provision of ongoing support. Penny would love to see the other team members given a more permanent standing within the university.