Personalized context-aware recommendations in 3D virtual learning environments

Abstract

The employment of 3D Virtual World (VW) platforms in an educational field is an emerging phenomenon that enlarges the concept of learning environments, providing users technology that creates an immersive learning experience. This is one of the main reasons for the selection of a 3D VW platform for the development of an innovative and motivating tool under an umbrella of a V-ALERT project. The project aims to support the establishment of Information Security culture through providing awareness and facilitating learning process using the developed 3D Virtual World Learning Environment (VWLE). The provision of recommendations to users within 3D VWLE is a novel research field and to the best of our knowledge there are no publications in the field. This paper aims to provide an insight into the design and development of a context-aware recommendation in the V-ALERT 3D VWLE that considers available relevant information such as the context, user (learner) individual characteristics and user history to provide personalized content to assist the user during the learning activities. The paper also offers results of pilot usability evaluations which will be taken under consideration in the final, redesigned version of the 3D VWLE. © The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology.