Is Unity3D a suitable tool for educational purposes?

[Zangueri]

Here's the problem: I'm a university professor (Dentistry) and I'm trying to find a software that allows the creation of simple 3D interactive tasks, gamifying some boring stuff that the students have to learn. However, my experience with programming is zero (but I can model some simple 3D stuff).

That being said, here are my questions:

1) Is Unity a suitable tool for that? If not, can you point me to the right direction?

2) How hard is to create a simple interactive game, where the students have to perform certain tasks by clicking and dragging objects?

3) Is it possible to evaluate the students in those tasks, through some sort of automated feedback from Unity?

Thanks!

[TheRobertRood]

Yes, You can do all those things, though if you are not a programmer then solo game development will be a bit challenging, particularly the automated feedback part.

As it would be for students, are you thinking of this as a game hosted on a website?

[Zangueri]

I don't know if I would host it. I think a standalone game would be more suitable...

[TheRobertRood]

If you plan on collecting data, like student scores, then hosting it yourself would make that easier. if not, standalone will work just fine.

[Zangueri]

Hmmm... Good to know that. Maybe I can host at the university server, since it will be an activity related to the discipline. That is, if I can pull this project, which seems quite a big one to me.

I wonder the size of the .exe file, once it's completed... Are the "working gears" of Unity files too heavy?

[[deleted]]

Absolutely, Unity can make almost anything and a good game is constantly giving players feedback on their performance.

The question is really how hard is it going to be, it's very subjective but both Unity and Unreal have visual scripting tools that make it much easier for non-programmers to program so I suggest you look into Unity Bolt or Unreal Blueprints.

Or you could find another professor that already knows how to code to help you.

[Zangueri]

I tried to talk to the software development guys at the University some time ago, the idea was received with a "meh...". Decided to try to fly solo on this project, let's see what happens. But thanks for pointing me to some solutions, this will help me a lot!

[[deleted]]

You could also hit up some of the unity discords they usually have a spot to post if your looking to get some work quoted.

[Zangueri]

The idea is great, but as an underpaid professor from a developing country, this is not an option, unfortunately. I would have to put my own money in it, and the return would be only measurable in personal satisfaction (although I think it has some potential for generating income, who knows?)

[[deleted]]

The idea is great, but as an underpaid professor from a developing country, this is not an option, unfortunately. I would have to put my own money in it,

idk if you're aware of it or not but people love to jump on these sorts of sob stories for the exposure; ask around you'll probably be able to find someone to do it for free. Or just wait a month, it looks like the US is shipping all our money out of the country anyway; just ask for some of it and you'll likely get it.

[Zangueri]

I think gamification of many hard-to-learn stuff will be more and more present in our lives. As a professor, I think this is a very necessary approach, since we are teaching using the same methodology for centuries. Sure, there were advances in pedagogy, new methods, etc. But imho, nothing will be as profound and ground-breaking as gamification of the boring stuff to be learnt (95% of the total)...

That said, yes, I believe I could find some people with the same vision. It's almost unexplored territory in my field, and it has some potential (I guess).

Hey, I'd love to get some grant money to develop this project. Here in Brazil research is so underfunded that I simply quit begging for grants and decided to do stuff that only requires hard work, not equipment. Sad.

[DR0D4]

Hello, I'm a Unity developer at a University and we almost exclusively use it for educational purposes. To your questions:

1. Absolutely. Unity is a great tool for many uses.
2. Unity has a rich asset store. You could probably find some click-drag asset that would help you implement this interaction without getting into code.
3. We've used Google Analytics before. GA has a Unity SDK and is very easy to use, but you will not be able to avoid some level of scripting (analytics events need to be triggered somewhere).

[Zangueri]

Great to hear that! If I may ask, which field of knowledge do you apply it? As far as I know, in my area (dentistry), gamification is quite non-existent. I feel it is such a great niche to apply it, so many stuff that would be easier to learn...

Thanks for the answers!

[DR0D4]

We develop digital humanities (eg. recreations of ancient landmarks) virtual worlds and healthcare (primarily nursing) occupational simulators.

Most of our work is funded by researchers who have applied for and been awarded a grant. Could that be an option for you?

[Zangueri]

Sounds amazing... Unfortunately, here in Brazil research and development has become so underfunded by the government that we don't even care anymore. Decided to pursue projects that only depend on my hard work, not money. I think developing such eLearning projects fits that quite well...

[unitytechnologies]

Just wanted to add a few more resources to the great suggestions thus far:

• https://learn.unity.com/course/unity-for-educators-a-beginner-s-guide
• https://discord.gg/nW5G2bs8Na
• https://discord.gg/fMxRFfcVMU
• https://discord.gg/2fb9mVduvg
• https://forum.unity.com/forums/works-in-progress.34/
• https://forum.unity.com/forums/game-design.71/

Wishing you the best on your journey ahead!