Evaluating a Mixed-Reality 3D Virtual Campus With Big Data and Learning Analytics: A transversal study

• Main Authors: Livia Stefan, Florica Moldoveanu, Dragos Gheorghiu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italian e-Learning Association 2016-05-01
• Series: Je-LKS : Journal of e-Learning and Knowledge Society
• Subjects: 3D virtual campus; tracking system; Learning Analytics; pedagogical effectiveness; OpenSimulator
• Online Access: https://www.je-lks.org/ojs/index.php/Je-LKS_EN/article/view/1132

There is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance of the 3D multi-user virtual environments (3DMUVEs) with high relevance for prospective developments and improvements in both distant and in-class education. However, to be accepted on a larger scale by education practitioners more analytical studies are required to evaluate these environments against usability and pedagogical effectiveness criteria. The present paper proposes an automatic in-world monitoring system consisting in scripted tracking objects and Learning Analytics (LA) tools for an experimental 3D virtual campus. The research was conducted within a transversal study using focus groups from two universities, an engineering and a vocational one. The results highlighted the validity of the automated system and LA tools, which can constitute the ground for more efficient teaching and learning in complex activity-based 3D educational settings.