This document discusses the design and development of a three-dimensional personal learning space (PLE). It provides an overview of PLE models and architectures, examines how PLEs can support quality education, and explores using 3D technologies to create personalized learning environments. Specifically, it analyzes the functional and technical aspects of building a 3D PLE, presents examples of using virtual worlds like Second Life for learning, and proposes a vision for a 3D PLE that would allow for visualization, interaction, and socialization in a virtual space.

1. Plymouth e-Learning Conference 8-9 April 2010, Plymouth, UK Design and Development of a Three-Dimensional Personal Learning Space MalinkaIvanova, Technical University - Sofia

2. Outline PLE models and architectures – overview PLE as a part of quality education 3D technologies Solutions for PLE in 3D Not specially created for education Second Life in education 3D PLE vision Conclusion

3. PLE Definition Virtual Personal Learning Environment (VPLE) self-managed learning to integrate personalized information and knowledge to allow social contacts and communication channels with flexible technical configuration with different possibilities for learning scenarios realization according to student’ s learning interests, needs and goals

4. Attaining quality education for all:A UNESCO perspective Source: Mariana Patru, Division Higher Education, UNESCO

6. PLE types - overview From a technical aspect start pages, feed readers, blog, wiki Distributed - combines student-selected tools on one interface Mashup – via widgets, RSS feeds, API PLEF web-based browser and server systems Integrated - web-based learning platform with pre-built tools SAPO Elgg PLEX Client software P2P - every participant takes a portion of other s‘ resources Client software Colloquia Adaptable – method to support the adaptations based on standards for interoperability web-based browser and server systems APLE Agent-based - integrated services of multiple personal agents for information search/ retrieval web-based browser and server systems PABF 3D browser and server systems 3B 3D– 3D technologies to support personal learning needs Second Life Client software Browser Plugin Exit Reality

7. Distributed – technical architecture PLE Serve r Systems Netvibes Server PLE Server Server Widget Widget Server Widget PLE Browser Netvibes GUI – Personal Learning Environment PLE Widget Widget Widget Widget Embed Code Upload file RSS URL feed Web site/ URL link PLE http http RSS http ftp Web site Local HDD

11. Distributed - Feed readers FriendFeed: Collect information from several servers: http://friendfeed.com/

12. Distributed - Feed readers EduFeedr - Standard RSS reader for monitoring and analyzing learning activities, designed for educational purposes http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Composing_free_and_open_online_educational_resources/Participants

13. Distributed, desktop application: FeedForward Aggregative newsfeeds, photostreams and playlists from general Internet sources useful for informal learning, and collecting metadata from formal resource collections: http://www.getfeedforward.org/ Dvevolped by: University of Bolton

14. Integrated solution - Elgg Social environment: http://www.elgg.org/ Source: http://tesl-ej.org/ej34/m1.html

15. Integrated - SAPO Campus Architecture Institutional LMS, PLE is supported, based on the Universal Widget API (UWA) from Netvibes and allows the integration of a large number of widgets from other servers Authors: C. Santos, L. Pedro, University of Aveiro, Portugal

17. Students ‘ profiles determine interface, interaction methods, learning level

18. Tutors make adaptations on behalf of students

20. Peer-to-peer - Colloquia http://www.colloquia.net/ PLE PLE PLE PLE PLE

21. Personal Agent-based Framework Benefits of the framework : • personalized information services with minimal burden on the user • integrated services of multiple personal agents for information search and retrieval • a secure environment that ensures the privacy of personal profiles for registered users Authors: I.B. Crabtree, S.J. Soltysiak, Intelligent Systems Research Group, BT Laboratories, UK

22. Nfomedia – possibilities for PLE Personal site for every registered student

23. 3D World - Definition A 3D virtual world is a computer-based, simulated 3D environment where users are able to interact and socialize with others and experience the environment through their avatars Source: http://www.exitreality.com/3dvirtualworlds.html

24. Why 3D? Motivation: 3D Interactive environments: Visualization in 3D dimension Highly adaptable, user created High level of interactivity Possibilities for self-paced activities Social Interaction through dialogue and collaboration, networking Informal learning opportunities Realization of a wide variety of learning scenarios Support different multimedia formats Greater connectivity and engagement

25. 3D TechnologiesVRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) - old International Standard ISO/IEC 14772-1:1997 VRML Architecture

26. 3D TechnologiesX3D - new Extensible 3D (X3D) - a software standard for defining interactive web- and broadcast-based 3D content integrated with multimedia X3D Architecture

27. What do the students say? How do you better understand new information?

28. What do the students say? I learn better when:

29. 3D - Second Life as a Personal Learning Space Universities Learning Centers Research Centers Libraries Museums Companies Radios and TVs

31. Heartsease Garden

32. Library Gallery

33. Mystery Manor

34. Peace Park

35. Science Center

36. SF/Fantasy Center

37. Stonewall Learning Center

38. Virtual Learning Library

39. Graduate Library & Info Science Student Union

40. Jazz Cat Dance Club

41. Spanish Language Center

42. The Henry James House

45. Possibilities for PLE: Browser plugin ExitReality - creates an instant virtual place from every web page on the Internet, creating a new universe of inter-connected worlds for users to visit, explore, and meet and chat to others: http://www.exitreality.com/

46. Design of 3D PLE Functional Architecture Objects - instructions Track/plan my activities Objects - media content Track friends’ activities Learning activities management Chat Status Msg Contacts’ list Social sites integration Socialization/ Communication Public 3D page Notes/Tasks Objects Personalization and Learning Links Halls Profile Sharing Templates Drag and drop Themes Feel and Look Editing | Creating Objects Visiting other 3D worlds

47. Client Side Web browser 3D PLE X3D plug-in Visualization X3D (Scene-graph Object Model) SAI XHTML page Ajax3D Technical Architecture of 3D PLE XMLHTTP HTTP PHP Script Server Side X3D Prototype Library 3D PLE Structure MySQL Data Base First View Hall scene Outdoor Prototypes Meeting Hall scene Template Halls for : Indoor Prototypes 3D Students’ Profiles LO collection Presentment Prototypes Library Quizzes Experiments 3D Students’ PLE 2D Images Data Base Artefacts Others