title: Versatile, immersive, creative and dynamic virtual 3-D healthcare learning environments: a review of the literature.
abstract: The author provides a critical overview of three-dimensional (3-D) virtual worlds and "serious gaming" that are currently being developed and used in healthcare professional education and medicine. The relevance of this e-learning innovation for teaching students and professionals is debatable and variables influencing adoption, such as increased knowledge, self-directed learning, and peer collaboration, by academics, healthcare professionals, and business executives are examined while looking at various Web 2.0/3.0 applications. There is a need for more empirical research in order to unearth the pedagogical outcomes and advantages associated with this e-learning technology. A brief description of Roger's Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Siemens' Connectivism Theory for today's learners is presented as potential underlying pedagogical tenets to support the use of virtual 3-D learning environments in higher education and healthcare.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA. mhansen@usfca.edu
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hansen