Disputation Mikhail Fominykh - Department of Computer and ...

Abstract
The use of three-dimensional Collaborative Virtual Environments (3D CVEs) for
educational purposes has been constantly increasing during the recent years. One
of the reasons is the potential of such environments and the possibility they offer
for supporting collaborative work with various types of content. Another
important reason is an opportunity for participants to interact in a way that
conveys a sense of presence lacking in other media. These opportunities result in a
number of benefits for establishing and supporting learning communities,
simulating various contexts and conducting educational activities. Nevertheless,
this area is in the early stage of development and needs both theoretical concepts
and empirical results.
The research work presented in the thesis has three main objectives. The first is to
provide recommendations and guidelines for supporting collaborative work on 3D
educational content. The second is to provide frameworks for designing tools and
environments in 3D CVEs to benefit educational activities. The third is to provide
frameworks for technological and instructional support of learning communities in
3D CVEs.
Within this research work, four empirical studies were conducted. The data were
extracted from a number of sources, including direct observation, digital artefacts
created by the participants and recorded interaction, reflection and feedback.
Analysed data were applied to each next empirical study and, in addition, used for
developing theoretical frameworks.
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