Virtual reality can improve design skills in Gen Y
March 5th, 2011 - 6:21 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Mar 5 (ANI): Researchers at the University of Missouri, who are studying ways to integrate technology into design learning, have found that virtual reality platform can really improve design skills in younger generation.
In an effort to study how children who have grown up in a wired, video game culture use technology, Newton D’Souza engaged young students using a 3D virtual reality platform to teach design.
Using a popular existing virtual reality platform called 2nd Life, researchers directed students to design a small zoo.
The zoo project involved a topic that young students could relate to, while providing adequate research restraints.
The 2nd Life platform provided a realistic 3D spatial simulation for students to explore. They were given instructions on certain design specifics and then allowed to work within the simulation.
By studying how the students worked within the virtual reality platform and their eventual design product, D’Souza was able to observe the improvement of specific design skills.
He found that students working within the 3D virtual reality environment tended to improve spatial skills, including kinesthetic and logical abilities.
However, verbal and intrapersonal skills seemed to suffer. He attributed this mixed result as a lesson to constantly work on creating better interfaces for today’s learners.
D’Souza was also surprised to find how quickly the students grasped the virtual reality concept and were able to begin working with it.
“Because they are wired in media, the kids entered into the system much faster than we expected,” said D’Souza.
“Today’s students already exist in a 3D environment; we need to find a way to teach them where they already are.”
This study was published in the Journal of Design Studies. (ANI)
- Boost her confidence, and she'll park well too - Dec 08, 2011
- Confidence boosts women's parking skills - Dec 06, 2011
- Talking with your hands 'can help solve complex problems' - Feb 02, 2011
- Do you gesture while talking? It helps - Feb 02, 2011
- Poor behaviour doesn't always lead to poor grades - Mar 30, 2011
- Remo D'Souza wants Madhuri for next! - Apr 05, 2012
- Genelia, Arbaaz kickstart IIFA voting weekend - Mar 30, 2012
- Students perform better when online training helpers look like them - Mar 03, 2011
- Karnataka government in a fix over illegal mining report - Jan 03, 2012
- Poor behavior students 'not always poor in academics' - Mar 30, 2011
- 3,000 Delhi Metro workers to undergo simulator training - Jan 12, 2012
- 'Independent music getting recognition' (With Images) - Mar 29, 2012
- UTV signs reality show talents for 3D dance film - Sep 02, 2011
- Specific words can promote spatial skills in kids - Nov 11, 2011
- Verbal methods of lie detection work better than non-verbal ones - Feb 17, 2011
Tags: 3d environment, adequate research, design specifics, game culture, intrapersonal skills, learners, life platform, newton, restraints, souza, spatial simulation, spatial skills, university of missouri, use technology, video game, virtual reality environment, virtual reality platform, younger generation, zoo project