A prototype Ambient Simulation-Based
Learning Experience(ASLEX)
144a Brownlow Hill
Intended useLevel 1 Bacterial Pathogens module
Pathogens: Past, Present, Future blockEpidemic typhus as a case study for Pathogens Past
Factors affecting typhus prevalence in Victorian Liverpool
Evolution of virulence in rickettsiaContemporary relevance, e.g. refugee camps, disaster
zonesMediated/augmented/virtual reality; ubiquitous
computingIntegral formative and summative feedback Examined conventionally at end of module
Context
Caveat: This is seriously unfinished concept-ware!
Typhus: why (and why here)?
Workhouse256x256 m
region
Wellcome Images ,CC by-nc 2.0 UK & NI
Affective Context Learning Model (Shackleton-Jones)Learning is best when student emotionally engaged in
advanceMemorable events (“flash bulb memories”)
Ambient Simulation-based Learning Experience Virtual world (OpenSim) via Android mobile devices Lumiya viewer (due Q4 2012; developer Alina Lyvette)Movement synchronized through real and virtual space
(GPS)Format(s)
Digital landscape vs Story-telling vs Timeline vs SimulationGroup-based but each student has own hypothesis to testLandscape provides data/evidence/tools, virtual charactersStudents operate under resource constraints
Approach
Workhouse region then and now
Courtdwellings
Fever hospital
Chapel
Brownlow Hill
Men’s Infirmary
Women’s Infirmary Piazza
Offices
Scale and location approximate In-worldprim-based building
Court dwellings
Court dwellingsPoverty, overcrowding,
poor sanitation, leading to typhus,
typhoid, cholera, TB, etc
Standard viewer
Lumiya
Reality
Inside the Infirmary
Standard client
Lumiya3D view
Samsung Galaxy Y (3” 320 x 240 px screen)
Long-touchMenuChat
UR
L
Note
Text view
Image, video, data, citation, etc
Wellcome Images ,CC by-nc 2.0 UK & NI
Non-player characters provide context, info and narrative drive
Prim or avatar, static or moving
Menu-driven interaction or scripted for AI
Located via minimap or contacts list
Virtual characters (NPCs)E
delw
eiss L
e M
on
t St M
ichel, S
L
Native
Lumiya
Ideas for ambient toolsPubMed search tool
Genome “player”
Relevance: refugee camp
Concept build by Daden Ltd: open access on Kitely grid
http://www.kitely.com/virtualworld/Kitely-Daden/Refugee-Camp
LimitationsTech-driven or tech-enabled?GPS accuracyAndroid-only; frame rates, GPS, data planLumiya: closed source/commercial (free for edu regions);
subset of OpenSim, limited panning, avatar appearance, etcNo RL map cf AR apps: ARIS (iOS), WikitudeEthics of using virtual spaces
OpportunitiesMulti-user, mixed realityUsable on desktop without GPS
(runs from server or USB on PC)Rapid development (out-sourcing)Collaboration/reuse
Limitations & opportunities
Google Project Glass