The Virtual Cell Project

Phillip McCleanAlan WhiteBrian Slator

North Dakota State University

Educational Role-playing Games

“Learning-by-doing” Experiences

• MultiUser

• Exploration

• Spatially-oriented virtual worlds

• Practical planning and decision making

Educational Role-playing Games

“Learning-by-doing” Experiences

• Problem solving

• Scientific method

• Real-world content

• Mature thinking

Advantages of Virtual Worlds

• Collapse virtual time and distance• Allow physical or practical

impossibilities• Participate from anywhere• Interact with other users, virtual

artifacts, and software agents• Multi-user collaborations and

competitive play

Technical Approaches

• Networked, internet-based, client-server

• MultiPlayer

• Simulation-based

• Implemented in Java applets

The VCell VRML Worlds

The CellThe Laboratory

The Virtual Cell

The Laboratory

Details of the VCell

•Interface•Game Play

VCell Login

Use VCell login box to connect to the cell

The VCell VRML file will load in the Client Window.

VCell Instructions

Referenceinformation about organelles, etc. is available here.

Goals for each level are listed here

Instructions from Lab Guy

Click on the Lab Guy icon to move between the Laboratory and the VCell.

The Do It Box gives you choices for destinations.For example, this selection will send you to the VCell for your next set of experiments.

Transporting from One Place to Another

Performing Experiments

Experimental Results

Choose assays here

Fly around organelles and perform experiments

Choose actions here

Deduction of Organelle Identity

Choose organelle to identify here

Successful identification based on experimental results

Choose Identify action here

Achieving Another GoalInformation for new goal

New Action and Assay

Experimental Results

Updated Goals

Success again!

Completing Another Goal

Guessing Not Allowed

Appropriate experiments required for identification.

All Goals Completed

Directions for proceeding to the next level given.

ETC Exercise Instruction Window

Lab Guy welcomes you back and gives you your next assignment

You arrive in the Lab. Click on the Lab Guy to receive your next instructions.

Mitochondrial Function:Electron Transport Chain Animation

Molecules in motion

Molecule Key

ETC Membrane Complexes

http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/abergstr/vcell/rox/july27/600p4c.wrl

Chloroplast Function:Work in Progress

User in Sub shoots photons to activate photosynthesis

Photosystem Complexes

Assessment

• Not “multiple choice” recall

• Content specific:

• Problem solving, hypothesis formation, deductive reasoning

Assessment by Scenarios

• Assess computer literacy

• PreTest: Present scenario, students propose course of action or

solution

• Engage in learning experience Control vs Virtual

• PostTest: Present similar scenario, student response

• Analysis of assessment data

Current Implementation

NDSU General Biology Class

600 students total 300 control students 150 alternative (WWW based, but not VCell) students 150 VCell students