SHE // Projects: Second Life
Below is a list of useful links regarding the UWE E-Learning department, Second Life and Citrus Virtual
Second Life simulator
We're working with Citrus Virtual (CV) on a really exciting project - the event simulator. The simulator consists of 3 elements
- the set
- the simulator "engine" and
- the scenario
The idea is to enable students to experience different kinds of events and to interact with them through their avatars. The events are the kinds of situations they are likely to encounter in practice. The intention of these simulations is to help students to prepare for real life experiences on placements and in their final practice. It is important to stress that these simulations do not replace real life placement/practice, but are intended as an augmentation that can help students to become familiar with working environments.
There are currently two projects using the simulator. The first of these is intended to be used with students of Environmental Health studying risk, accident causation theory and investigation techniques. It is a fork lift truck accident in a warehouse. As an example of one way this simulation will be used, a group of students will witness the accident through their avatars, then a second group of "investigators" will see the aftermath of the accident and interview the "witnesses", as well as gathering information from the set e.g. documents from filing cabinets. They can then take the information away and construct fault or event trees and reconstruct the accident. They then take their reconstructions back to the SL set and we can re-run the accident so that they can reflect upon their findings. There is a great deal of scope for discussion on accident causation theory, investigation techniques and many other issues relevant to the risk of accidents and its analysis. For details on how the simulator works, see the tutorials section of this website.
The second simulation is of elderly residents in a care home, and is being developed by our Social Work colleagues.
If you are a resident in Second Life you can teleport to our island and see these simulations first hand.
