Using Second Life Simulations to
Enhance and Develop the Learning
Environment for Occupational
Psychology Students
Dr Kelly Barklamb, Dr Ray Randall
& Sue Harrington
School of Psychology
OCCUPATIONAL SECTION
106 New Walk
Leicester LE1 7EA · UK
Tel: +44 (0) 116 223 1486
Fax: +44 (0) 116 223 1325
Overview of Presentation
• Background and context
• Second Life (SL) as a learning environment
• The acquisition of Occupational Psychology
(OP) knowledge and skills
• Case study: The Oil Rig
• Evaluation
Background: DUCKLING Project
• Developing University Curricula: Knowledge,
Learning and INnovation Gains (DUCKLING)
• Beyond Distance Research Alliance (BDRA)
• Aim: To identify new opportunities for
enhancing curriculum delivery using
innovative technology-based responses
• Students:
– Part-time distance learners
– MSc in OP or MSc/Diploma in Psychology of Work
What is Second Life (SL)?
• 3D internet-based virtual
world
• Launched in 2003
• People can “network, build,
play, buy and sell products and
work” (Jarmon & Sanchez, ’08)
• A social experience
• Interact through avatars
• Stream video or audio
• Media Zoo: Island in which
“students, researchers and
teachers can experiment with
learning in a virtual world”
(guardian.co.uk, ‘08)
Using SL Simulations in a Learning
Environment: Existing Research
• Role playing activities in learning environment
• Emerging area
• Medicine, Health, Languages
– (e.g. Boulos et al, 2007; Edwards et al, 2008)
• Replicating cultures and societies
– (Edirisingha et al, 2009)
• How to run a business
– (Antonacci & Modaress, 2005)
Potential Gains for OP from SL
• Overcoming practical and ethical constraints
• Using simulations as a ‘prelude’ into
organisations
• Enhancing feelings of preparedness and
capability
• Enhancing the quality of practitioner-based
work
• Improving the quality of courses by engaging
students through enhanced delivery
How can OP’s Use SL?
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Explanation
Discussion
Demonstration
Problem engagement
Role playing
• OP issues: Teamwork; Leadership; Training and
Development; Ergonomics; Applied experimentation
• THE OIL RIG SIMULATION
Case Study: The Oil Rig
The Pilot Task
• The Client is The New Walks Oil Exploration Company
(NWOEC)
• NWOEC wants to comply with Health & Safety
regulations, focusing on emergency response
• Occupational Psychology Consultancy Team
(students) are recruited to identify issues that should
be considered during evacuation
• Visit the platform, prepare observations and present
to the client
• Participate in live evacuation event to test
recommendations
Why an Oil Rig?
• A novel environment with which students are
probably not familiar
• Unfamiliar technologies and high risk work
environments
• Allows students to carry out multiple tasks:
– Planning work;
– Designing teams;
– Developing training
• Practice in a safe and non-threatening environment
where mistakes are less risky
Theoretical Basis: The 5 Stage Model
(Salmon, Nie & Edirisingha, forthcoming)
Implementation
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Four participants involved in this pilot
Consent form and training guide (BDRA)
Download software and check equipment
Create account and avatar
Explore SL in the Media Zoo
Log of experiences
The ‘In-World’ Events
Objective
Method
Mastering control of avatars and the
environment
Sports Day Training
Understanding layout and context
Briefing and Tour of the Oil Rig
Students could access the rig in
between sessions and organise
meetings with colleagues
Feedback on learning and experience
Presentation of results and live
evacuation
Screen Shots & Video Footage
Evaluation of Using SL (In Progress…)
• Positive aspects:
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Novel, innovative, exciting approach
Volunteers’ engagement and enthusiasm
Support: technical teams & subject matter experts
Feedback and evaluation
• Challenges / Learning Points:
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Ethical procedures
Resources and equipment
Pragmatic and logistic issues
Labour intensive
Acknowledgements
•
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Dr Andrew Shepherd (OP Course Team)
Beyond Distance Research Alliance
JISC
All participants
Thank You…
• Questions?
• Comments?
• Suggestions?
• DUCKLING project blog:
https://swww2.le.ac.uk/departments/beyond-distanceresearch-alliance/projects/duckling/duckling-blog
• Contact Details: Dr Kelly Barklamb
– Email: [email protected]
– Telephone: 07939 107958