Science and Virtual Reality The Present and Future of Education through Immersive 3D Worlds

Presented by Joshua Gough

www.AtlantaScienceTavern.com

Outline

● Introduce virtual reality (VR) and Second Life ● Discuss organizations currently using VR for

science education● Discuss educating students with this technology● Discuss future implications of VR & education● Introduce resources (web and local) for learning

more

Virtual Reality

U.S. Navy personnel using a VR parachute trainer

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology which allows a user to interact with a computer-simulated environment, be it a real or imagined one. -- Wikipedia

Second Life

Second Life® is a 3-D virtual world created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe.

Concepts and Screenshots

● Users create an “Avatar” to navigate themselves through the 3D landscape

● It operates just like modern day 3D video games worlds like World of Warcraft

Science in Second Life

Ira Flatow, host of Science Friday, standing by his avatar, Ira Flatley

Science Friday Radio Show in SL

Real life listeners visit the virtual show stage while Ira does the radio show and interact with him in SL

How to Get in Second Life

● Download free software at www.SecondLife.com● Create a free user account and sign in● Do a Search for “Science Friday”, for example● Click on the link to teleport to the area● Note: see this huge list of Science Related links

here:

http://science-center-group.wikispaces.com/Science-Related+Places

Let's Take a Tour

We will watch videos and see some screen shots of:● Many science locations in Second Life● Global Kids Fossil Fuel SL exhibit● A Hurricane Katrina simulator● IBM's Health Care Island● NOAA's Tsunami simulator● A walking tour of earth and human evolution● Many more places...

Living in the Universe Island

This island features many interactive exhibits about the history of life on earth

Health Info Island

This island is a joint venture between:

● CDC● NLM● NIMH

It features exhibits, educational classes, and support groups

Conclusion

Visit http://www.SecondLife.com to get started exploring this virtual landscape

Visit http://www.AtlantaScienceTavern.com to see these slides and get links to Science Related places

to see inside of SL

Contact me at jsgough@gmail.com