Presentation used at iLRN 2017 - Immersive Learning Research Network Conference

1. Impact of non-verbal communication on
collaboration in 3D virtual worlds
Case study research in learning of aircraft
maintenance practices
Gustavo Silva
Leonel Morgado
Armando Cruz

5. Presence
improves
cooperation
Presence

6. Important for
presence:
• Immersion
• Non-verbal
communication
• Interaction

7. CSCW
Case studies
Case studies
Case studies

8. This case study:
Aircraft Maintenance
Training Organization

9. Aircraft maintenance
is rich in non-verbal
collaborative aspects

10. METHOD
Research
Design
Preparation
for Evidence
Collection
Evidence
Collection
Evidence
Analysis
Research questions
Propositions
Units of analysis
Chains of
evidence /
propositions
From Cruz et al. (2015)
• RQ1: How does the use of an avatar influences collaboration in 3D
virtual worlds?
• RQ2: How does the spatial virtual environment influences collaboration
in 3D virtual worlds?

11. CONTEXT
Theory / framing traditional e-learning module

12. COLLABORATIVE SIMULATION IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

13. TRAINING SCENARIO: AIRCRAFT TOWING

14. RESULTS
• Evidence
• Chains of
evidence

15. SAMPLE EVIDENCE
Gestures
 “After the team leader commanded the removal of
the wheel stops, beams of light balls were seen
coming out of the team members’ hands, towards the
wheel stops that had to be removed.”
The leader and other trainees become aware that
an attempt is being made to comply
(no communication initiative needed).
RELEVANCE

16. CONNECTING DATA TO PROPOSITIONS = CHAINS OF EVIDENCE
PROPOSITION P2:
Avatar gestures and sounds influence
the perception of its intent to collaborate
P2: Os gestos e sons produzidos pelo avatar influenciam a perceção dos outros sobre
como o utilizador do avatar quer colaborar ou como ele quer que os outros colaborem
Light balls from interaction
appear and the team
responds adequately to it
(e.g., trainer is silent,
trainees remove other stops)

20. More stuff
we’re
doing…

22. Integration into information systems
(MULTIS architecture and methods)

23. Bring cultures (gestures!) to
empower user interaction!

24. Choreographies independente from
the rendering/execution platform

25. Interested? Get in touch!
Leonel Morgado
leonel.morgado@uab.pt