Modding the MatrixModding the Matrix::Combining Virtual and Physical Combining Virtual and Physical

Worlds for LearningWorlds for Learning

Dr. Gerri Sinclair and Joanna RobinsonDr. Gerri Sinclair and Joanna Robinson

Masters of Digital Media ProgramMasters of Digital Media Program

Great Northern Way CampusGreat Northern Way CampusVancouver, B.C.Vancouver, B.C.

http://www.gnwc.ca/mdm/http://www.gnwc.ca/mdm/

Welcome to the Welcome to the MDM@GNWCMDM@GNWC

Centre for Digital MediaCentre for Digital MediaVancouver, B.C. CanadaVancouver, B.C. Canada

(Latitude: 49:16:0.383N,(Latitude: 49:16:0.383N,Longitude: 123:5:26.329W)Longitude: 123:5:26.329W)

Virtual Centre for Digital MediaUniversity Project (150, 84, 23)

History of MDM@GNWCHistory of MDM@GNWC

1. Industry donated Land (20 acres)1. Industry donated Land (20 acres)

2. Collaborative Academic Partnership2. Collaborative Academic Partnership

3. Powerful Industry Lobby3. Powerful Industry Lobby

4. BC Government Invests $40M4. BC Government Invests $40M

5. World-leading graduate program5. World-leading graduate program

6. Vision: MDM:Vancouver like 6. Vision: MDM:Vancouver like Stanford:Silicon Valley and Stanford:Silicon Valley and USC:HollywoodUSC:Hollywood

Centre for Digital Media Centre for Digital Media

Competitive AdvantagesCompetitive Advantages

1.1. Powerful Academic Powerful Academic PartnershipPartnership

2.2. Geographical LocationGeographical Location

3.3. Unique Model of CollaborationUnique Model of Collaboration4.4. Deep Ties With IndustryDeep Ties With Industry

September 2007 – First CohortSeptember 2007 – First Cohort

4 Senate approvals of 4 Senate approvals of curriculumcurriculum

Faculty & StaffingFaculty & Staffing Program ImplementationProgram Implementation Building Renovations Building Renovations Industry/Community Industry/Community

Relations (paid internships & Relations (paid internships & projects)projects)

The Vision and the RealityThe Vision and the Reality

Problem: Fall 2006 – Spring 2007Problem: Fall 2006 – Spring 2007

1.1. Unknown Brand- GNW? CDM? Unknown Brand- GNW? CDM?

2.2. MDM Curriculum approvalMDM Curriculum approval

3.3. No StudentsNo Students

4.4. No FacultyNo Faculty

5.5. No BuildingNo Building

Industry Affiliate ProgramIndustry Affiliate Program

Academic Partners

Challenge: Put Vancouver on the Challenge: Put Vancouver on the Map as the Digital Media World Map as the Digital Media World

LeaderLeader

MDM Advisory BoardMDM Advisory Board

William Gibson – sci-fi giant & visionaryWilliam Gibson – sci-fi giant & visionary Don Mattrick – EA Founder & PresidentDon Mattrick – EA Founder & President Scott Fisher – VR NASA, Telepresence,USCScott Fisher – VR NASA, Telepresence,USC Glenn Entis – PDI, Dreamworks, CVO@EAGlenn Entis – PDI, Dreamworks, CVO@EA Joi Ito – CyberVirtuoso, GuildmasterJoi Ito – CyberVirtuoso, Guildmaster Linda Stone – Digerati, Microsoft EVPLinda Stone – Digerati, Microsoft EVP

virtual Centre for Digital virtual Centre for Digital Media Media

1.1. Market research – best studentsMarket research – best students

2.2. YouTube, Flickr, BloggingYouTube, Flickr, Blogging

3.3. Second Life as a Recruitment ToolSecond Life as a Recruitment Tool

4.4. BVW and Visual Story Courses BVW and Visual Story Courses

5.5. Pedagogy of ParticipationPedagogy of Participation

6.6. Co-Creation - Physical Building and Virtual BuildingCo-Creation - Physical Building and Virtual Building

7.7. Student-Centered Design(2.0~3.0)Student-Centered Design(2.0~3.0)

8.8. Reconfigure, Modd, TransformReconfigure, Modd, Transform

Thank You!Thank You!

FL FL Architectural Concept Architectural Concept DrawingsDrawings

Thank You!Thank You!

FL FL Architectural Concept Architectural Concept DrawingsDrawings

Thank You!Thank You!

FL FL Architectural Concept Architectural Concept DrawingsDrawings

Thank You!Thank You!

Nov 2006 Second Life 3D Nov 2006 Second Life 3D vCDMvCDM

Replicating the ‘Real’ in the Virtual?

Trends in virtual learning environments so far: Replicating the real Creating based around objectives (reality need

not apply) The decision was made to start with a

traditional style lecture hall and a seminar style room in our space

All parts are set to group and modifiable so that this building is a starting point, but not an end

The sl space, like its first life counterpart (and to a greater extent!) will be constantly modifiable and reconfigurable to suit students needs

Student volunteers are planning the initial design, some of this influence has come from the SL build

Jan 2007 Modding Workshop I

Lecture Hall

Seminar Room

Virtual Research Assistants Working Out…

Brainstorming Design Session

Brainstorming Design Session

Brainstorming Design Session

Brainstorming Design Session

Brainstorming Design Session

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

A Griefer Disrupts Session

Modding Design Workshop II

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Modding Design Workshop

Vancouver Police Event

Vancouver Police Event

Vancouver Police Event

Vancouver Police Event

Griefing & disruptions

Some of the things we learned:

Our goals of collaborative student design, modding and creation is possible in the Second Life environment

Limitations: The skills of participants can present obstacles as well as general team organization. Also issues such as prim count & lag!

Perceptions of “real” versus “just a game” present an issue on many levels

Representing or replication of “the real” is not necessarily the best way to fulfill objectives in a place that has different constraints and possibilities!

FL/SL Co-Creation - Next FL/SL Co-Creation - Next StepsSteps

FL Renovations ofFL Renovations of the GRID the GRID underwayunderway High-octane Learning Tech Leadership High-octane Learning Tech Leadership

TeamTeam Reconfigurability, MM Jack-In CapabilityReconfigurability, MM Jack-In Capability Students as Architects and DesignersStudents as Architects and Designers SL – University Project (173, 83, 25)SL – University Project (173, 83, 25) vCDM phase 2 vCDM phase 2 – collaborative design – collaborative design

Upcoming Courses

September 2007 Building Virtual Worlds (several

metaverses, hybrid) Visual Story/Narrative (hybrid)

2008 Interdisciplinary Improv (entirely SL)

Thank you!joanna@gnwc.ca