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3D Web and Virtual Worlds for Instruction

Overview:

Consulting is provided for the instructional use of 3D modeling, animation, and virtual worlds. Software includes Second Life, Maya, and SketchUp. We can get you started in Second Life. 3D modeling and animation consulting involves the appropriate use of 3D models to achieve an instructional objective. Limited development of 3D models and animation in Maya is possible given it is with in an approved project.

virtual worlds

Virtual Worlds for Instruction

Virtual worlds immerse students in a 3D environment that often involves a collaborative community of avatars interacting with each other.  Environments such as these provide learning opportunities that have been difficult to achieve in the past such as placing the learner in a more authentic environments and providing role playing excercises.

The University of Iowa Second Life Island Return to top

ITS at the University of Iowa has aquired a virtual world area in Second Life. This space is called an "Island" in Second Life and is 256 meters x 256 meters. It is available for instructors to explore the use of Virtual Worlds in their teaching. See below for more information about projects and FAQs.

Second Life Island

This the University of Iowa Second Life Island. The dimesions are in meters

Current Projects Return to top

1. A graduate student exploring the use of virtual worlds to teach history of middle ages.

2. A graduate student using teaching French through and interactive murder mystery

3. A faculty member using the space for office hours, library exploration and readings.

4. A new media in poetry class using the space to explore poetry reading in virtual worlds

5. A Social Work class using the space for student role playing.

6. Available

7. Available

8. Available

Open Event Area: This area can be used for general purpose presentations.

Island FAQs Return to top

Question: Is this a new ITS service?

  • No. This is a pilot project intended to understand virtual worlds better and allow university educators an opportunity to explore the instructional possiblities. This project could be closed depending on the results of the pilot project, in addition funding, scalabity, sustainablity have not been resolved at this moment.

Question: What is Second Life?

  • Second Life is a commercial product which allows the user to enter a virtual world, chat with other users from around the world, manipulate objects, and engage in other activities.

Question: How do I get started with Second Life?

Question: How do I gain acess to the University Island?

  • Due to security and privacy concerns the land is not viewable or accessible to the public. If you would like to explore the "Open Event Area" use the faculty request form below to request access.

Question: How do I get land on the University Island?

  • Land is distributed on a first come first serve basis. The land is for instructional purposes only. However, if land is available research uses can be accomodated on temporary basis.

Question: How long do I have the land on the University Island?

  • Projects typically last one semster, however this may vary depending on the project.

Question: How much does this cost?

  • Use the faculty request form below for more information.

Past Projects Return to top

The pedagogical foundation for the Urban and Regional Planning course utilizes a project-based authentic learning model. The Urban and Regional Planning students worked together to design an urban landscape based on an area in their local city, a real-life activity that many of them will have to perform once they receive their degree. Students built spaces dynamically and collaboratively in real-time. All members of the team worked on the space together and communicated their intentions using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) or text chat. The online access to the designs allowed students to meet and work on their design any time. An additional benefit was that Second Life immerses your avatar in the 3-D space providing a more realistic and authentic perspective of urban design. For the purposes of this project, we identified the following learning objectives for Urban and Regional Planning students:

-Create urban landscapes using applicable urban design principles.

-Visualize design concepts based on a real world space.

-Work collaboratively in a real world design project.

To learn about an instructional activity taking place during the spring semester, visit "Using Second Life as an Instructional Tool".

Faculty Request Form Return to top

For more information on how to use Second Life, 3D modeling and animation in your teaching use this form to contact us.

 

3D web and Virtual Worlds Faculty Request Form


If you would like more information, please fill out this form.

Your Hawk ID:

First name:

Last name:

Email address:


 
(This must be a valid email address in order
for your request to processed.)

Phone number:

Please describe how this environment could help accomplish your learning objectives:

What other information are you interested in?

 

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