Three-Dimensional Virtual Worlds: Research Trends and Future Directions

Üç Boyutlu Sanal Dünyalar: Araştırma Eğilimleri ve Gelecek Yönelimleri. Dünya çapında, üç boyutlu (3B) sanal dünya platformlarının kullanımı her geçen gün artmaktadır. Internet üzerinden çok kullanıcılı bir ortamda üç-boyutlu etkileşimin mümkün olduğu bu platformlar öğrenme-öğretme sürecine birçok fayda sağlamaktadır. Eğitimciler, araştırma ve geliştirmeye büyük miktarda zaman ve mali yatırım yaparak bu ortamların sunduğu imkanlardan yararlanmaya çalışmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı üç boyutlu sanal dünyaların kullanımına yönelik yapılan araştırmaları alanyazın taraması ile incelemektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, bu çalışmada üç boyutlu sanal dünyalar ile ilgili alanyazındaki 2008-2013 yılları arasında yapılan çalışmalar beş kategoride içerik analizi ile incelenmiştir: (1) kullanım örnekleri, (2) araştırılan konular, (3) disiplinler, (4) platformlar, ve (5) çalışma grupları. Sonuçlar sanal dünyaların e-öğrenme, yaşayarak öğrenme ve sosyal etkileşim olmak üzere üç farklı kullanım örneğinin olduğunu göstermiştir. Ayrıca, yapılan araştırmalarda, en yaygın olarak tutum ve tecrübe konularının incelendiği dikkat çekmektedir. Bu araştırma konularını işbirliği/sosyal etkileşim ve sosyal farkındalık takip etmektedir. Dil eğitimi, sağlık ve öğretmen eğitimi sanal dünyaların en fazla uygulandığı disiplinler olduğu dikkat çekmektedir. Sonuçlar ayrıca Second Life platformunun en yaygın kullanılan platform olduğunu ve yükseköğretimin çalışma gruplarında odak noktası olduğunu ortaya koymuştur.

Use of three-dimensional virtual world platforms has been increasing worldwide. These online multi-user spaces, where users move and interact in a simulated three-dimensional spaces, provide many opportunities for learning and teaching process. Educators worldwide have been experimenting to use these technologies by investing on research and development. The purpose of this study is to analyze research trends in three-dimensional virtual world literature. The results of the study will provide a roadmap to the researchers and educators who wants to use these environments for an educational purposes.

Keywords:

three-dimensional virtual worlds education, research trends,

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