View method | Virtual Environments

Virtual Environments

Description

An immersive computer generated environment, which could be based on the real world or entirely fictitious. These environments are interactive in that they contain user generated content (virtual objects) within a 3D space in which participant can interact using an avatar and their actions can have real consequences. Can facilitate social networking and related to Virtual Reality which uses human input sensors.

Related Methods

Purpose

Users can be creative with content. This method can be used as an outlet of fantasy for participants who can take on new identities, explore new worlds and communicate with others. Participants can quickly make friends and explore the creations of others. Useful for helping visualise new developments or for creating a virtual presence linked to a physical place. Also used by the commercial sector for sales and marketing purposes.

Strengths

Helps planning.
Low cost way of rendering 3D objects for public scrutiny.
Easier to relate to landscape compared to 2D imagery.

Weaknesses

Requires significant computing power.
Participants must learn how to manipulate the virtual environment (favours the savvy)

Examples

Name	Description	Link
Family clinic	Family clinic	http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/River%20Falls/87/62/26
Birmingham City Council	Recreation of library which opens in 2013	http://pep-net.eu/blog/2011/07/21/the-virtual-library-of-birmingham/
Virtual shop	Dell	http://www.dell.com/html/global/topics/sl/

Tools

Name	Link

More Resources

Name	Link
Second Life Study	http://www.smi.ethz.ch/education/thesis/Barnetta_SecondLife.pdf

Profile

Item	Descriptor
Should the activity have an emphasis on getting participants ideas and opinions to diverge, converge, or both?
How important is it that you gain insight from your participants, such as statistical reports on participant demography etc?
How would you describe the resources you have available to this activity?
To what extent do you envisage your intervention in participation?
How does the digital engagement activity need to integrate with other activity?
To what extent should participants take ownership of the activity?
How public should the engagement activity be?
How important is it to know the identity of the participants?
At what stage of your overall project will this engagement activity relate?
How quickly are results required?
Are you hoping to engage a particular audience?	Of particular appeal to young people.
On what lines are participants likely to be grouped?
How many people should the activity engage?