Title |
Use of a virtual world computer environment for international distance education: lessons from a pilot project using Second Life
|
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Published in |
BMC Medical Education, February 2014
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DOI | 10.1186/1472-6920-14-36 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Marloes Schoonheim, Robin Heyden, John M Wiecha |
Abstract |
Virtual worlds (VWs), in which participants navigate as avatars through three-dimensional, computer-generated, realistic-looking environments, are emerging as important new technologies for distance health education. However, there is relatively little documented experience using VWs for international healthcare training. The Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research (GFMER) conducted a VW training for healthcare professionals enrolled in a GFMER training course. This paper describes the development, delivery, and results of a pilot project undertaken to explore the potential of VWs as an environment for distance healthcare education for an international audience that has generally limited access to conventionally delivered education. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 17 | 50% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 6% |
Germany | 1 | 3% |
Brazil | 1 | 3% |
Australia | 1 | 3% |
Canada | 1 | 3% |
Unknown | 11 | 32% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 23 | 68% |
Scientists | 7 | 21% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 4 | 12% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 1 | 2% |
United States | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 60 | 97% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 12 | 19% |
Student > Master | 9 | 15% |
Researcher | 5 | 8% |
Student > Postgraduate | 4 | 6% |
Student > Bachelor | 4 | 6% |
Other | 13 | 21% |
Unknown | 15 | 24% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 13 | 21% |
Social Sciences | 7 | 11% |
Computer Science | 5 | 8% |
Psychology | 5 | 8% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 3 | 5% |
Other | 11 | 18% |
Unknown | 18 | 29% |