The group discussed creating virtual environments for their target audiences. Erik wants to create an environment for his high school theatre club to share information and test skills. Mark works in radiologic science and wants to simulate software to supplement classes. Michele's work in sign language could benefit from motion capture technology to test skills. The group found virtual environments could be useful for their fields by simulating real-world scenarios and facilitating long-distance meetings in a cost-effective way.

1. Creating Virtual
Environments For Our
Target Audience
ErikChocianowski
Michele Martinez
Mark Ness

2. The group of Erik, Michele, and Mark met in the garden area (I am not sure it
was an actual garden) and we quickly became acquainted with each other.
The Meeting Place
In the picture: At left is
Michele in purple, Erik has on
his favorite Charlie Brown
shirt and is sporting a bald
look and Mark is looking very
robotic in a uniform.

3. We discussed a few reasons why a person, company, school
environment may move toward using a virtual environment. Some of
the key points that were made were:
Practicality of Long Distance meetings-People that must attend
meetings over long distances can easily meet in virtual
environments, quickly and very cost effective.
Practice, Practice, Practice-People can utilize simulations that would
otherwise be too costly to do in the physical world.
Tailor Made-Programs can be tailor made to fit specific applications
and through the development of virtual environments individuals can
learn content deeper.
The Discussion

4. Michele discussed her work in the field of sign language as a professional
developer and discussed how the environment of Second Life would be
helpful for some of the activities needed in professional development but
not all.
Her innovative website was the start of the virtual environment that she
wanted to create and for some parts of the certification process, the journey
is self guided. The knowledge part, which focuses on theory and history, as
well as the interview portion, which focuses on ethics, could carry a spoken
word application. The actual sign language skills, the gestures and facial
expressions used to convey aspects of literacy, need some innovative
technology.
We discussed using motion capture technology seen in video games as a
possible solution to showing and testing the skills needed to be a successful
sign language interpreter. Although the technology is emerging and needs
more refinement, the application of such technology in this field could
possibly yield worthwhile results.
Michele’sVirtual Space

5. Mark discussed his work in the field of radiologic science and the need of
software for simulation.
Mark’s target audience is students of radiologic science and would like to
create a hybridized environment that utilizes simulative software and on
ground classes.
Through the discussion, we found out that there is software that exists
(Shaderware) but Mark’s application of it would need it to be altered in order
to be more effective for radiologic positioning and the outcome of images.
His areas of application would cover both clinical and laboratory
environments.
Mark’sVirtual Space

6. Erik discussed his work as an advisor in a high school club that builds sets for
the school’s theatre company. He would like to create a virtual environment
that keeps members informed of club activities, gives some background
knowledge of basic operations through informative videos (tutorials) and
gives a forum for people to express their opinions.
He would also like to create an environment for students to test their
knowledge and in an ideal situation virtually test their knowledge in a safe
environment. He has stated that there are simulations for surgery that test
eye hand coordination and would like to mirror that process with tool usage
and procedures.
To see an example of the simulation that he would like to use, please click
the link below. Warning, there may be some graphic images of surgery.
Brain Surgery Simulation
Erik’sVirtual Space

7. We had a fruitful discussion about the strengths of using a virtual
environment and have come up with some very innovative ideas about
improving the fields that we work in. We believe with this knowledge, we
can move further in our own development to craft virtual spaces that will be
enriching in our learner’s education.
In conclusion…