Using virtual reality for distance teaching a graduate information systems course

The evaluation of distance learning models has become commonplace in many academic institutions. Two models tend to dominate current offerings-an expensive audio/video real time interaction place dependent model and an inexpensive Internet based delayed interaction place independent model. By combining the most favorable elements of these models with technology prevalent in the MOO/MUD culture, a new MDU model was developed and field tested. This was a text based inexpensive distance learning model that offered real time interaction and place independent accessibility. The key element of this MDU or virtual learning environment (VLE) model was Diversity University-an experimental object oriented virtual reality college that enables same time different place text based interaction over the Internet. During the Spring 1995 semester, it served as a platform for conducting an entire information systems (IS) seminar style graduate capping course field study. A comparative analysis was done between the VLE course and the PLE (physical learning environment) courses. The replicatable strategy and results of this successful field study are presented. It was found that the MDU model developed was able to satisfactorily replicate the real learning environment for the chosen course. Further it did so conveniently, inexpensively and without compromising the target course learning objectives. A summary of findings and recommendations is presented