Title: Between virtual and real: exploring hybrid interaction and communication in virtual worlds

Authors: Athanasios Christopoulos; Marc Conrad; Mitul Shukla

Addresses: Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton, LU1 3JU, UK ' Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton, LU1 3JU, UK ' Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton, LU1 3JU, UK

Abstract: In this paper we aim to explore the potential advantages of interactions on student engagement and provide guidance to educators who seek interactive and immersive learning experiences for their students through the use of hybrid virtual learning approaches. We define as hybrid virtual learning the educational model where students are co-present and interacting simultaneously both within a virtual world and the physical classroom receiving stimuli related to the learning material in the virtual world from both directions. In order to achieve our aim, we categorised interactions in various categories and observed the complex network of interactions which can be developed in a virtual world when groups of people are working together in order to achieve different goals. The findings suggest that students spontaneously tend to use the interaction channels only when it is deemed to be necessary.

Keywords: virtual worlds; OpenSim; higher education; hybrid virtual learning; student engagement; interactions; interactive learning; immersive learning; avatar identity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMILE.2016.075038

International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2016 Vol.4 No.1, pp.23 - 42

Received: 02 Mar 2015
Accepted: 25 Aug 2015
Published online: 01 Mar 2016 *

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