One: 3D virtual immersive environments (VIEs) do
not have to be 100% realistic. In fact,
take advantage of the fact that you can do anything in 3D worlds and leverage
that advantage. For example, if you want to create a gathering place for
avatars, you don’t need to put it under a roof or even have it indoors. Since
weather is not a factor in 3D VIE you don’t need a roof over your head. Also,
put things close together that aren’t normally close together. If you are
creating a corporate campus to mirror your own corporate campus, you don’t need
large distances between buildings. Also, consider creating concept spaces
instead of actual spaces. For example, if you want to teach about surgery.
Create a giant surgical theatre that is larger than the real space so that lots
of avatars can gather around and watch.
Two: How people dress their avatars is critical
in role plays. If you are doing a role play in a virtual world, provide
“uniforms” for the avatars to wear. Placing someone into a role complete with a
uniform sets the tone for an interaction and adds to the realistic training
environment. The more you can immerse the avatar into the role, the more
effective the learning will be.
Three: Virtual immersive environments (VIEs) are
highly effective spaces for collaboration. Because 3D environments grab a
learner’s attention and provide realistic cues, learners seem very inclined to
interact within these environments. Items like virtual whiteboards and interactive
objects encourage interaction and working within 3D environments. Provide
activities and areas in which the avatars can interact with each other and with
content to become fully immersed and to foster effective collaboration.
Provide plenty of opportunities for collaboration in virtual
worlds.
To view resources related to 3D virtual worlds for learning,
check out Resources
for Enterprise Learning and Collaboration in 3D Virtual Worlds
Also check out the book Karl co-authored
with Tony O’Driscoll Learning in 3D. 
