Scientific Knowledge Transfer Training Through a Virtual World

• Published in: Journal of information technology research Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 24 - 35
• Main Authors: Martin-Suarez, Ana, Benito, Juan Cruz, Pérez-Blanco, Jonás Samuel, Millan, Mª del Carmen Gutierrez, Castañeda, Aranzazu Zarzuelo, Gomez, Hinojal Zazo, Martin, Cristina Maderuelo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hershey IGI Global 01.04.2014
• Subjects: Conferences; Creativity; Education; Equipment costs; Knowledge management; Methods; Pharmacy; Political aspects; Strategy; Students; Training; Virtual reality; Spain
• ISSN: 1938-7857; 1938-7865
• DOI: 10.4018/jitr.2014040103

The aim of this study was to use the virtual world Second Life (SL) to perform a knowledge transfer training to Pharmacy students. The presentation of assignments of different subjects was organized as scientific congress communications. The activities were carried out at the facilities created at the USALPHARMA Island in SL. The content and format of these works, together with their oral presentation and interventions in debates were evaluated. These experiences provided adequate learning results and a high level of student satisfaction. This teaching strategy can foster development of creativity, critical thinking, communication, co-teamwork and digital competence. Likewise, it can facilitate teacher-student relations and relations among the students themselves. It also implies significant savings in time and money, since real facilities and equipment and physical movement of people are not involved. All of this encourages us to recommend this platform to host all kinds of conferences or scientific conferences.