University of Bradford eThesis This thesis is hosted in Bradford Scholars – The University of Bradford Open Access repository. Visit the repository for full metadata or to contact the repository team © University of Bradford. This work is licenced for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence. An Empirical Study of Multisection Virtual 3D Healthcare Learning Environments N S H Nik Ahmad PhD 2012 An Empirical Study of Multisection Virtual 3D Healthcare Learning Environments Investigation into the Effect of Multisection Incorporation on the Usability of Online 3D Virtual Healthcare Learning Environments and the Production of Empirically Derived Guidelines for Designing the Learning Environments. Nik Siti Hanifah Nik Ahmad A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Computing, Informatics & Media University of Bradford 2012 Aug 2012 University of Bradford Copyright ©2012 Nik Siti Hanifah Nik Ahmad II In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful III DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my husband the partner in this world and hereafter, my parent the shoulder to cry on and the four pearls of my soul, Azzam, Aziz , Salam and newcomer for their constant love, encouragement and patience. Nik Siti Hanifah Nik Ahmad II ABSTRACT The thesis investigated the use of combination of sections using learning steps in the development of courseware presentation in the 3D Virtual Worlds platform. The technical objective of the study is to present the design of multisection strategy in developing healthcare course in 3D Virtual World online environment. The main aim of this study is to know the effects of multisection [objective, tutorial (with or without video), quiz and test] sections incorporation in an online 3D Virtual World towards the usability. The empirical research described in this thesis comprised three experimental phases. In the first phase, an initial experiment was carried out with 21 users to explore the usability and learning performance of courseware created using 3D the Virtual World platform of Second Life. The second experiment phase involved an experiment conducted with 30 users to investigate their perception, satisfaction and performance of the role of each main section involved in Virtual World courseware. In the third phase, a total of 30 users experimentally examined a unique approach to the use of video segment added in the Tutorial section of the OTQT framework. The overall obtained results demonstrated the usefulness of the tested multisection to enhance the development of healthcare course in an online learning of 3D Virtual World program. These results in three experiments provided a set of unique and empirically derived guidelines for the design and the use of three multisection frameworks to generate more usable courseware in the 3D Virtual Worlds of an online learning interface. For example, when designing avatars as animated virtual lecturers in e-learning interfaces, specific facial expression and body gestures should be incorporated due to its positive influence in enhancing learners’ attitude towards the learning process. III ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many to whom I owe thanks for the encouragement, advice, inspiration and support that made this research possible. First of all, my strongly thanks to ALLAH the Most Merciful, without his help and blessing, this thesis would not have progressed nor have seen the light. To my husband Mr. A. Yoosoh, for his constant encouragement and carry out the burden as house husband during my research. To my children, Azzam, Aziz and Salam, all delivered during this PhD study for their prayers, love, support and patience. To my father and mother, Nik Ahmad Raja Abdullah and Hasnah@Kalsom Hamzah for their encouragement and care. To my principal supervisor, Dr. Tao Ruan, and second supervisor, Dr Ping Jiang, for their valuable critique, advice and availability. To those who have contributed either directly or indirectly in ensuring the success of this research such as USM K. Kerian technician and management, Mark K Tympalski as Bradford Informatics technician, and participants in this research. To the Malaysia University of Science and Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for permission and financial support towards this research. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... III Acknowledgments ................................................................................................... IV Table of Contents…...... .......................................................................................... ...V Related Publications and Papers ............................................................................ XIX List of Figures ......................................................................................................... XX List of Tables ........................................................................................................XXIV Abbreviations ...................................................................................................... XXIX CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Aims and Main Objectives ........................................................................................... 3 1.3 Overall Hypothesis ...................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Scope of the Research ................................................................................................. 6 1.5 Research Methods ...................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Thesis Contribution ................................................................................................... 11 1.7 Thesis Outline ............................................................................................................ 13 V CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW: Developing Courseware in 3D Virtual World Online Environment for Teaching Healthcare ..................................................................... 17 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 17 2.2 Online Learning ......................................................................................................... 18 2.2.1 Online Learning Introduction .......................................................................... 18 2.2.2 Development of Online Learning (UK vs Malaysia) ........................................ 20 2.2.3 The Future of Online Learning Applications ................................................... 23 2.2.4 Courseware and Instructional Design in Online Learning .............................. 25 2.2.5 Challenges and Obstacles of Online Learning ................................................. 26 2.3 Healthcare (Conventional and Alternative) Education ............................................. 30 2.3.1 Introduction of Conventional and Alternative Medicine ................................ 28 2.3.2 The Development of Healthcare Education .................................................... 32 2.3.3 Teaching Healthcare Education Online ........................................................... 31 2.4 Multi Section ............................................................................................................ 32 2.4.1 Introduction of multisection ........................................................................... 32 2.4.2 Concept of multisection .................................................................................. 33 2.4.3 The Rasional of Using Multisection in a 3D Virtual World Online Learning Environment ........................................................................................................ 36 2.4.3.1 Objective Section ................................................................................ 38 2.4.3.2 Tutorial Section ................................................................................... 40 2.4.3.3 Quiz Section ........................................................................................ 41 VI 2.4.3.4 Test Section ......................................................................................... 43 2.4.3.5 Video (Audio Visual) Addition ............................................................. 44 2.5 Usability Evaluation of Courseware .......................................................................... 46 2.5.1 Usable (usefulness, ease of use, learnability, attitude) .................................. 47 2.5.2 Aesthetic (easy to assimilate, visually attractive, interesting) ....................... 49 2.5.3 Efficacy ............................................................................................................ 49 2.5.4 Presence in Virtual Worlds .............................................................................. 50 2.6 Overall Conclusion..................................................................................................... 51 CHAPTER 3 LITERATURE REVIEW II: Virtual World and Second Life ................................................ 52 3.1 Introduction of Virtual World ................................................................................... 52