Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 VirRAD - a virtual learning community for Radiopharmacy Martina Matzer, Eri Giannaka on behalf of the VirRAD Consortium

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Overview Introduction to VirRAD Project VirRAD Features –Community –Pedagogical Framework –Courseware –3D Lab

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 VirRAD is a research & development project supported by a European Commission IST Grant “Self Learning for Work” > 3 million Euro > over three years > started: March 2002

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 VirRAD Consortium

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 What is Radiopharmacy?

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Radiopharmaceutical scientists are few in number at each location Limited peer contact Limited resource to expertise Limited local/regional training opportunities Difficulties in recruitment Radiopharmacy is a developing, complex, specialised field Why do we need VirRAD?

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 The VirRAD vision: Learning should be Independent of place and time Collaborative –Informal learning –Horizontal Communication –Tacit knowledge More effective –Less intensive –More involving –More fun Active process More relevant –For employer/employee –For students Cheaper –Travel, accommodation A shared experience –With students –With teachers Life-long

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004

Pedagogical Framework Based upon constructivist and social theories of learning and instruction embodied in Psychological Theory of Mindful Learning (Langer, 1997)

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Mindful Learning Must clarify 7 myths of learning Promotes awareness Generate strategies for design Langer, E. J. (1997) Mindful Learning. Perseus Books

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Pedagogical Framework Mindful learning must clarify the 7 myth of learning 1) The basics must be learned so well that they become second nature 2) Paying attention means staying focused on one thing at a time 3) Delaying gratification is important 4) Rote memorisation is necessary in education 5) Forgetting is a problem 6) Intelligence is “knowing what’s out there” 7) There are right and wrong answers Langer, E. J. (1997) Mindful Learning. Perseus Books.

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Mindful Myths Paying attention means staying focused on one thing at a time –Multiple perspectives –Increase interest

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Mindful Strategies and Tactics Strategy Use a variety of media –Convey complexity –Maintain interest of learner Tactics Linked VirRAD elements Multi-media courseware

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Mindful Myths Rote memorisation is necessary –Knowledge should be constructed by the learner –Authentic contexts –Explore problem in context

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Mindful Strategies and Tactics Strategy Provide exploratory learning opportunities in authentic contexts Tactics VR Laboratory Hypermedia environment Interactive animations

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Courseware Online virtual reality has seen significant development in recent years, from clumsy user-controlled avatars to high-quality panoramic images offering virtual tours. As a result, it is now possible to offer image based virtual (or pseudo virtual) reality environments as an interface to learning through other media. Such an environment offers a user multiple pathways through subject materials with high degrees of user-control in terms of navigation and media selection. As such, this kind of environment is implicitly constructivist in its learning approach (Perkins

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004

Virtual Environments and avatars Simulations Communication Services Virtual Reality Element Virtual Reality Element

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Implementation of the Virtual Element Two ways of accessing the Virtual Element –VR-Radiopharmacy Laboratory Stand alone application –VR-Teaching Laboratory Multi-user application

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 VR-Radiopharmacy Laboratory User interacts only with the environment User represented by a default avatar User actions: –Avatar manipulation (e.g. clothe changing, navigation) –Point of view selection –Manipulation of equipment –Ability for online private log book –Ability to contact tutor (via )

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 VR-Radiopharmacy Teaching Laboratory User interacts with the environment and with the other users User’s actions: –Selection and manipulation of avatar –Selection of viewpoint (of his avatar or of other participants avatars) –Manipulation of equipmentManipulation of equipment –Ability for online private log book Communication and collaboration through: –Text chat/Audio Chat –Whiteboard –Gestures

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Gestures Audio Chat Text Chat Virtual Laboratory Interface

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Thank you for your attention!

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 User interacts with the environment

Learntec Karlsruhe 2004 Manipulation of equipment