Virtual reality for scientific literacy

• Project/Area Number: 22650196
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Science education
• Research Institution: Future University-Hakodate
• Principal Investigator: MICHIAEL Vallance 公立はこだて未来大学, システム情報科学部, 教授 (00423781)
• Project Period (FY): 2010 – 2011
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2011)
• Budget Amount: ¥3,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2010: ¥1,700,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,700,000)
• Keywords: 科学リテラシー / 仮想現実

Research Abstract

Grants-in-aid in 22650196 furthered the research in the staged, iterative development of LEGO Mindstorms programming tasks. A new virtual learning space was developed using open source OpenSim technologies. Unique and innovative virtual tools enabled tasks to be much more complex. Sixty(60) hours of data in the form of computer screen capture, video of communication, and LEGO task processes was recorded and analysed. Cognitive processes and knowledge functions were mapped in a 3D dynamic graph for analysis. The outcomes indicated a non-linear correlation between robot task complexity and human cognitive processes. This conclusion challenges the current literature on progression from low to high order cognitive actions.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Robots and virtual worlds to support Japan Recovery : an emphasis on cognition (2011)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M
  • Journal Title: IEEE Computer Society Learning Technology Volume: Vol.13, Issue 4 Pages: 7-10
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Measuring flow experience in an immersive virtual environment for collaborative learning (2011)
  • Author(s): Schaik, P. van, Martin, S. & Vallance, M
  • Journal Title: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Pages: 1365-2729
  • DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2729.2011.00455.x
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Robots and virtual worlds to support 'Japan Recovery' an emphasis on cognition (2011)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M
  • Journal Title: IEEE Computer Society Learning Technology Volume: 13.4 Pages: 7-10
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Augmented education in the futures university (2011)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M., Homma, T.
  • Journal Title: Proceedings of e-CASE & e-Tech International Pages: 2511-2526
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Learning spaces, tasks and metrics for effective communication in Second Life within the context of programming LEGO NXT MindstormsTM robots : towards a framework for design and implementation (2010)
  • Author(s): Martin, S., Vallance, M., Schaik, P. van. & Wiz, C
  • Journal Title: Journal of Virtual Worlds Research Pages: 1-24
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Designing effective spaces, tasks and metrics for communication in Second Life within the context of programming LEGO NXT Mindstorms (2010)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M., Martin, S., Wiz, C. & Schaik, P. van
  • Journal Title: International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments Volume: Vol.1(1) Issue: 1 Pages: 20-37
  • DOI: 10.4018/jvple.2010091703
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Learning spaces, tasks and metrics for effective communication in Second Life within the context of programming LEGO NXT MindstormsTM robots : towards a framework for design and implementation. (2010)
  • Author(s): Martin, S., Vallance, M., Schaik, P. van., Wiz, C.
  • Journal Title: Journal of Virtual Worlds Research. Volume: 3.1(Refereed) Pages: 1-24
• [Journal Article] Designing effective spaces, tasks and metrics for communication in Second Life within the context of programming LEGO NXT Mindstorms^<TM> robots. (2010)
  • Author(s): Viallance, M., Martin, S., Wiz, C., Schaik, P. van
  • Journal Title: International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments Volume: 1.1(Refereed) Pages: 20-37
• [Presentation] Collaborative Learning, Cognitive Processes, Telerobotic Communication and Japan Recovery in Virtual Spaces (2012)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M, Martin, S.
  • Organizer: 5th Annual Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference. Track : Theoretical & Research Papers
  • Place of Presentation: Rockcliffe University Consortium, USA(招待講演)
  • Year and Date: 2012-03-16
• [Presentation] Using free or inexpensive technologies for collating and analyzing research data. (2011)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M.
  • Organizer: Seminar hosted by the National Institute of Education.
  • Place of Presentation: National Institute of Education, (Singapore, Singapore)
  • Year and Date: 2011-03-18
• [Presentation] Augmented education in the futures university. (2011)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M.
  • Organizer: Seminar hosted by Nanyang Technological University.
  • Place of Presentation: Nanyang Technological University, (Singapore, Singapore)
  • Year and Date: 2011-03-16
• [Presentation] Augmented education in the futures university. (2011)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M., Homma, T.
  • Organizer: e-CASE & e-Tech International Conference. pp.2511-2529
  • Place of Presentation: Toshi Center Hotel (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Year and Date: 2011-01-19
• [Presentation] The Vocabulary Load of Problem Solving in Immersive Virtual Environments (2011)
  • Author(s): Wiz, C., Schaik, P. van, Vallance, M. & Martin, S.
  • Organizer: JALT Conference 2011
  • Place of Presentation: Kurume University, Japan
• [Presentation] Augmented education in the futures university (2011)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M. & Homma, T.
  • Organizer: In Proceedings of 2011 e-CASE & e-Tech International Conference
  • Place of Presentation: Tokyo, Japan
• [Presentation] Measuring flow experience in an immersive virtual environment for collaborative learning. In Proceedings of the First International Virtual Environments Research Group(iVERG) conference (2010)
  • Author(s): Schaik, P. van, Martin, S. Vallance, M. & Wiz, C.
  • Organizer: Immersive technologies for learning : a multi-disciplinary approach
  • Place of Presentation: Teesside University, UK
  • Year and Date: 2010-07-02
• [Presentation] Measuring flow experience in an immersive virtual environment for coll aborative learning. (2010)
  • Author(s): Schaik, P.van, Martin, S.Vallance, M., Wiz, C.
  • Organizer: First International Virtual Environments Research Group conference. Proceedings pp.156-166
  • Place of Presentation: Teesside University, (Middlesbrough, UK)
  • Year and Date: 2010-07-02
• [Presentation] A methodology for determining relationships between cognitive processes and the knowledge dimension when implementing tasks in virtual worlds (2010)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M. & Martin, S.
  • Organizer: In Proceedings of the First International Virtual Environments Research Group(iVERG) conference
  • Place of Presentation: Teesside University, UK
  • Year and Date: 2010-07-01
• [Presentation] A methodology for determining relationships between cognitive processes and the knowledge dimension when implementing tasks in virtual worlds (2010)
  • Author(s): Vallance, M., Martin, S.
  • Organizer: First International Virtual Environments Research Group conference. Proceedings pp.76-86
  • Place of Presentation: Teesside University, (Middlesbrough, UK)
  • Year and Date: 2010-07-01
• [Book] Design and robots for learning in virtual worlds. User Interface Design for Virtual Environments : Challenges and Advances. (2012)
  • Author(s): Vallance(M)
  • Publisher: McWeadon Education
• [Book] Proceedings of the Second International Virtual Environments Research Group (iVERG) conference. Immersive technologies for lerning : a multi-disciplinary approach (2011)
  • Author(s): S.Martin, M.Vallance (Eds.)
  • Total Pages: 177
  • Publisher: Lulu publishing
• [Book] Proceedings of the First International Virtual Environments Research Group (iVERG) conference, Immersive technologies for learning : a multi-disciphnary approach. ISBN : 978-1-257-01934-2. (2011)
  • Author(s): S.Martin, M.Vallance (Eds.)
  • Total Pages: 190
  • Publisher: Lulu publishing.
• [Remarks] (1) Vallance, M. 2012 Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge. Engaging Learning分野2等受賞. 2012. 3ホームページ等
• [Remarks] International Virtual Environments Research Group(iVERG) at URL
  • URL: http://www.iverg.com
• [Remarks] Virtual Collaborative Spaces Research at URL
  • URL: http://www.mvallance.net
• [Remarks] 1. Research BLOG and LAB
  • URL: http://www.mvallance.net
• [Remarks] 2. Co-founder of International Virtual Environments Research Group (iVERG)
  • URL: http://www.iverg.com
• [Remarks] Research BLOG and LAB at
  • URL: http://www.mvallance.net
• [Remarks] Co-founder of International Virtual Environments Research Group (iVERG)
  • URL: http://www.iverg.com