PIVOTE

2010-01-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

PIVOTE is an open-source virtual learning authoring system. It is designed to enable virtual training exercises to be authored, managed and maintained from the web, and (although designed initially for Second Life) to be independent of virtual world. PIVOTE creates and stores the structure and non-3D content of the exercise on a web server. A web service links this definition to the 3D objects created in the virtual world. The learner only interacts with these objects, but behind the scenes the whole experience is a managed (and tracked) on the web. The objects themselves are completely portable between scenarios since all they define are their real-world, context independent, behaviours. PIVOTE can significantly reduce the cost and skill level needed to create and maintain virtual training exercises, and introduce flexibility in their deployment – since exercises could even be accessed from the web or mobile phone, or lower specification virtual worlds.

You can read more about PIVOTE at www.daden.co.uk/pivote.

Location Details

2010-01-27T12:09:00.000-08:00

To access PIVOTE:

Log on to Second Life, then:

Either:

Click on Search
Click on the Places tab
Enter “PIVOTE” in the search box
Click on Search
Click on the PIVOTE FVWC listing that appears
Click on the blue Teleport button bottom left, below the picture
You will then be teleported to the PIVOTE FVWC demo on Daden Cays

or:

Click on this SLURL (Second Life URL) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Daden%20Cays/126/217/22 link to the PIVOTE FVWC demo
The www.slurl.com web site will open in your browser. Click on the orange “Teleport Now” button the the large call-out graphic
Switch back to Second Life
You will be offered a Teleport to PIVOTE FVWC. Click on the teleport button
You will then be teleported to Daden Cays and the PIVOTE demo

On arrival there is a slideshow that tells you about the PIVOTE system and to show you the management interface. Just press the large centre slide to move forward, or any of the smaller sides to jump to a particular slide.

Once you have done that click on the FVWC info point for a description of how to run the exercise. Then once you are all set press the large red button to start an exercise.

The exercise we have created for FVWC uses a combination of Second Life 3D immersion and PIVOTE exercise management. The scenario is a road-side bomb in Afghanistan that has left a HMMWV wrecked, its cargo strewn across the road, and a soldier injured. Your task is to first use a remote-controlled robot to disable a secondary IED, and then to go in an check the soldier and apply immediate treatment – in this case morphine and a leg splint and then call in the Casevac. How quickly can you do it?

Other Information, Images and Videos

2010-01-27T11:29:00.000-08:00

Here are some more images of PIVOTE in action.

PIVOTE in use at St George's Hospital being used for training and assessing Paramedics.

PIVOTE being used by a local council project to teach young people about social issues such as knife-crime, sectarianism and terrirotialism. The avatar in the foreground is a cut-out, a 2D avatar that is easy to use and control from PIVOTE and great for crowds and colour. PIVOTE can also control 3D prim based avatars and even full SL avatars.

PIVOTE being used to teach adult learners about customer service in a simulated shop. PIVOTE controls the telephones and the "customers" who ring in on them with issues, and tracks the students use of resources to solve their problems. The shop if fitted with 2-way mirrors and CCTV so tutors and students can watch the learner without being visible to them.

The control point for the FVWC demo, showing the suitcase controller and the optional PIVOTE controls

The Wheelbarrow RCV moving through the debris with its light switched on. The Humvee burns in the background.

Firing the disrupter. This is a "physical" gun in Second Life which fires a bullet which must hit the IED to disrupt it. Unfortunately the RCV and gun are a bit old and battered so getting the right shot takes a few attempts! Until the IED is disabled the users avatar is not able to approach the scene in person.

With the IED out of the way the avatar can now walk down the road to the casualty. We've conveniently put the basic medical gear our - a splint and a cannula for the Morphine. You can even talk to the soldier to check how much pain he is in! Once all is done just use the radio to call in the Casevac, and the exercise is over. Don't forget to check the timer to see how well you've done.

Video

Here are links to some videos of PIVOTE in action:

St George's PREVIEW project for Paramedics - the origin of PIVOTE
A video of the customer service training scenario (in Hebrew!)