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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• 3D virtual campus
• tracking system
• Learning Analytics
• pedagogical effectiveness
• OpenSimulator