The development of the virtual city: a user centred approach
David Joseph Brown, Stephen J. Kerr, Bayon · 1998
This paper will develop the theme of the importance of community based involvement in the development of virtual learning environments (VLEs) for people with a learning disability. It is being presented alongside two other papers, one by the User Group, the other by the Testing Group, describing the design, testing and distribution of the Virtual City. This set of VLEs comprise a computer aided learning (CAL) tool to teach independent living skills to people with a learning disability. Our presentation will demonstrate the involvement of users in each of the stages of development of the Virtual City, and the benefits of this partnership, as opposed to a more tokenistic involvement. Along side the development of this methodology, the presentation will concentrate on the demonstration of the Virtual City to show how users can learn skills such as the use of public transport, road safety skills, safety within a home environment, the use of public facilities within a cafe and the development of shopping skills within a large supermarket. Video will also be shown demonstrating users involving themselves in the various stages of production of this CAL tool.