2020 #VWEDU: BIZ:A list of features needed in virtual worlds to support remote collaboration and distance learning

Virtual worlds: a collection of features 
supporting remote collaboration 
and distance learning

A preliminary list of features that might be wanted in a virtual world designed to support remote collaboration and distance learning.  Suggestions for additional items are invited. This article is licensed CC0, public domain.

ACRL Virtual World interest group

• "The next killer app is people."

Objective

• Identify virtual world features needed for remote collaboration and distance learning.
• Current virtual worlds can be assessed in terms of the feature list.
• Feature list to be used for guiding future development. 
• Feature list to be used to guide defaults and adequacy of instructions,

Main categories

• Cost per month per square kilometer
• Public affiliation
• Security
• Voice
• Contacts
• Web access
• Text communication
• Avatar
• Document share
• Facilities
• "World" services
• Opinion gatherer
• Image capture
• Video capture
• Outworld reach
• Features possibly desired

• update 3/19/2020 VWBPE 13th Annual Conference, March 26-28 2020. VWBPE conference is immune to COVID-19 VWBPE Immersive events started March 15

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Generally recognized requirements

• For remote collaboration and distance learning.
• "Intuitive" means that instructions can be given in a name and hover text.
• "Easy" means that instructions can be given in a simple sentence.

Cost per month per square kilometer

• 1 KM=1000 meters or 3281 feet or .62 mile
• Smallest area available 
• Reduced costs for educational use

Public affiliation

• Landing page goes on the organization's website
• Landing page is managed by the organization.

Maintenance

• How is it being maintained? 
• What assures continuity of future maintenance?
• Customer satisfaction record.
• Complaint handling method and records.

Reliability

• Uptime record last 6 months
• Uptime record last 12 months

Broadly cross-platform

• Runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Runs on tablets and smart phones.

Easy installation

• No installation
• One click installation (No firewall objection)
• Two click installation.

Ease of entry

• Anything to install?
• Ease and adequacy of instructions for beginners.
• Ease and adequacy of instructions for meeting participation.
• Ease and adequacy of instructions for classroom use.
• Ease and adequacy of instructions for language learning.
• Ease and adequacy of instructions for document collaboration.  
• Onboarding support for teachers, leaders, and all participants.

Security

• Education has security requirements: FERPA
• How much control over access?
• How much control over egress?
• Business and government activities have even stronger needs.
• Software lease for independent operation.
• Can virtual worlds meet network security requirements? Some can and some still have problems.

Voice

• Voice easy or intuitive on
• Secure voice
• Speech-to-text
• Text-to-speech
• Voice limited to parcel

Contacts

• Private contacts (friends)
• Group contacts Number of groups allowed
• Batch creation of groups
• User search: ease of use

Web access

• Display web pages online (easy or intuitive)
• Live links in text
• Access live pages inworld

Text communication

• Local broadcast
• Private to friends
• Live links in text
• Save a copy
• Private text to email

Avatar

• Range of avatar choice
• Selection of avatar clothing and accessories
• Avatar modification

Document share

• File transfer (size limit)
• Shared editing
• Inworld display of shared editing

Facilities

• Conference rooms
• Classrooms
• Scenes for demonstration/education
• Limit voice sound to the room
• Chalkboards
• Slide projectors
• Play web stream (audio)

"World" services

• Market place on the web
• Amenities (stage, museums, music, etc.)

Opinion gatherer

• Poll taking software
• Consensus builder layout

Image capture

• Captures in MP3

Video capture

• Software available to capture in MP4

Outworld reach

• Send email
• Send text message 
• Start phone call
• Post on social media
• Post on a blog

Educator requirements 

• Quizzer
• Score keeper
• Learning management system

Possibly desired features

• Stereo viewing 
• Enter on impulse (for public-facing offices)

Help complete this list

• Send suggestions for additional items in comments or visit me on the web (below).

Related 

• What Virtual Worlds Need To Become Real World Offices, Post-Coronavirus
• SceneGate OpenSim viewer with beginner and extended modes. Summary
• Gathering educational support in OpenSimulator. Scenegate, RezMela™, Kitely Organizations, DTA
• Use-targeted learning plan for schools in digital worlds. Learners can pick the skills they need for the uses they intend. Gamified as a model

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Visit me on the web

• Drop by my web offices weekdays: 12:-12:30 pm Central time (US)
• I am available for free consulting on any topic in this blog.
• Cybalounge and 3DWebWorldz (Orientation room)
• I will be in both places, so you may need to speak to get my attention.
• Web-worlds, 3D virtual worlds running in a browser. Summary
• And we can visit the Writer's Workshop on the Web
• Don't register -- enter as guest.  

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License

• Original text in this blog is CC By: unless specified CC0: public domain.
• Use as you please with attribution: link to the original.
• All images without attribution in this blog are CC0: public domain.
• Second Life, Linden, SLurl, and SL are trademarks of Linden Research Inc.
• Annotated screenshots made with Jing
• This blog is not affiliated with anything.   Ads are from Google.
• Selby Evans in Kitely and hypergrid, Thinkerer Melville in Second Life.