The Virtual Cell Project Phillip McClean Alan White Brian Slator North Dakota State University

Details of the VCell Interface Game Play

VCell Login The VCell login window is launched from the Virtual Cell Home page by clicking on the “Login & Play” link. It may also be opened from the Site Map page.

Virtual Cell - Introduction Goal Information Box – This text box can be accessed from the “Information” pull-down menu. Whenever your lab assistant wishes to communicate new information concerning your current goal, the Goal Information Box will appear. In this case, you must meet with the lab assistant. To do so, you must click on his body.

VCell Instructions Reference information about organelles, etc. is available through the “Information” pull-down menu. Instructions from The Lab Guy and communication messages from other players are displayed in the “User to User” communication box. You may communicate with other players by Typing messages into the communication box.

Click on the Lab Guy icon to move between the Laboratory and the VCell. The “Tell Lab Guy” box” gives you choices for destinations and allows you to communicate with your lab guy. 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 To perform experiments you must select the assay action from the “Action” pull-down menu. Then choose an assay for the item for which you wish to test. Once you have done this, you must click on an organelle to perform the experiment. In this case the player is testing for chlorophyll. You may also type your own notes.

Deduction of Organelle Identity Choose organelle to identify here Successful identification based on experimental results Choose identify action here To identify an organelle you must select the “identify” action from the “Action” pull-down menu. Then choose an object for the item for which you wish to test. Once you have done this, you must click on an organelle to identify the organelle. in this case the player has identified the chloroplast.

Guessing Not Allowed Appropriate experiments are required for identification.

All Goals Completed Once you have completed all goals for the current level, directions for proceeding to the next level will be given. In this case, you are instructed to return to the lab to get your next assignment. Click on the Lab Guy icon to do so. Notice that the “Goals Accomplished” list will change once you have completed all goals for the current level.

New Level Instructions 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.

Educational Role-playing Games “Learning-by-doing” Experiences MultiUser Exploration Spatially-oriented virtual worlds Practical planning and decision making Information for Instructors

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 Cell The Laboratory

The Virtual Cell

The Laboratory

Mitochondrial Function: Electron Transport Chain Animation Mission Molecules in motion Molecule Key ETC Membrane Complexes

Chloroplast Function: Photosynthasis Mission – A 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