NSU Horizons Spring 2014

37 HORIZONS support groups, will be randomly selected for the virtual world experi- ence. The other half will be random- ized to more traditional e learning tools and video instruction on pros- thetics. Then results will be compared. Currently, Winkler has a doctoral and a master’s degree student work- ing with her. More students will be drafted as the program further develops. Winkler will be looking for doctoral students “to leverage the technological infrastructure.” She has been working with techni- cians on the site’s development for a year. It may take another year to recruit the participants. While they will come from all over the world, they won’t physically come to the campus. They participate by computer. For those entering the virtual world, Winkler says, it “will be more like Disneyland, where you go to ‘Reha- bilitation Island.’ ” In this case, the island community is named Virtual Health Adventures. The project does not provide ther- apy in the traditional sense, but rather provides a path for amputees to learn how to self-manage their health. “For example, there is a museum where amputees can learn about the history of prosthetic devices and how the technology has advanced from iron and steel to wood and alumi- num,” said Winkler. “Amputees typi- cally receive new prosthetic devices every three to five years; this Rehabili- tation Island can keep amputees in touch with new technologies.” In a conference center, amputees can “attend” presentations on how to manage pain. An outdoor workout area provides instruction on condi- tioning, and a virtual car provides a choice of possible modifications. There is even a kitchen displaying devices to help people cook. Note- cards inform amputees how to pur- chase these items in real life. “By joining our group, amputees can develop relationships where they can share contact cards,” said Win- kler, who is as concerned about emo- tional health as physical therapy. While Winkler and Echols are pio- neering educational and research opportunities in Second Life, their departments were not the first to use the technology at NSU. Greg Horne, executive director of the Office of Innovation and Informa- tion Technology (OIIT), purchased Second Life space back in 2007. Among other uses, OIIT developed a virtual campus, so that students any- where in the world with Internet access can get a good view of NSU. Horne has worked with both Winkler and Echols and is convinced they have embarked on good programs. Echols has even branched into the world of art for instruction in her teaching program. While second- year students learn the techniques described by Albert in the Virtual Clinic, third- and fourth-year stu- dents will be introduced to the virtual Art Observation Center. Where to turn for the art? To the NSU Museum of Art. It is important for medical stu- dents to learn “to observe.” They must learn to “look at the texture and color of a patient’s skin and pick up all the subtle nuances,” Echols said. These unusual research ventures reinforce the innovation that is one of Nova Southeastern University’s Core Values. “This is what NSU is all about,” said Echols. n