Search

Relatively few studies have empirically tested computer-based immersive virtual environments' efficacy in teaching or enhancing pro-social attitudes, such as intercultural sensitivity. This channel study experiment was conducted (N = 159) to compare what effects, if any, an immersive 3D virtual environment would have upon subjects' intercultural sensitivity, compared to a 2D web environment. Significant gains in intercultural sensitivity were found, with subjects exposed to the Second Life-based immersive virtual environment scoring higher than web-based subjects, both toward other cultures in general and toward Chinese culture in particular. An interaction effect for gender and channel was found, with males experiencing greater intercultural sensitivity outcomes than in a web environment. These empirical findings add to our theoretical understanding of channel effects and intercultural sensitivity. The results can guide cultural instructors or trainers toward the best platforms for content delivery to learners. These findings are worthy of future investigation to better understand their application in educational endeavors as well as in other fields.

Complex models may have model components distributed over a network and generally require significant execution times. The field of parallel and distributed simulation has grown over the past fifteen years to accommodate the need of simulation the complex models using a distributed versus sequential method. In particular, asynchronous parallel discrete event simulation (PDES) has been widely studied, and yet we envision greater acceptance of this methodology as more readers are exposed to PDES introductions that carefully integrate real-world applications. With this in mind, we present two key methodologies (conservative and optimistic) which have been adopted as solutions to PDES systems. We discuss PDES terminology and methodology under the umbrella of the personal communications services application.

Models that are constructed within the bounds of a single paradigm are not sufficient for modeling all aspects of complex systems. Therefore, even though reasoning and simulation systems that utilize a single modeling paradigm are the current norm, we explore a multimodel approach in this paper. A multimodel approach is defined as one in which more than one model - each derived from a different perspective, and utilizing correspondingly distinct reasoning and simulation strategies - are employed. By describing four models which illustrate the use of different modeling techniques, we show how a multimodel approach can enrich the modeling environment and make it correspond better with real world information. Our models come from many sources - Systems and Simulation literature for the modeling of natural phenomena and artificial devices, and Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science for the modeling of human intuition and expertise in reasoning. Generalizing from these four models, we suggest that modeling complex systems may best be approached from an integrated architectural viewpoint which combines multiple modeling paradigms. Index Terms - Multimodeling, Visuo-Spatial Reasoning, Abstraction Levels, Qualitative System, Functional Modeling.