RE-CREATION OF SELF IN IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL WORLDSAddressing Identity in Rehabilitation of People Suffering from Aphasia

Ulla Konnerup, Aalborg University, ullak@hum.aau.dk

Aalborg University is one of the largest enterprises in Jutland - making Aalborg a vibrant university city

Additional AAU campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen

Aalborg University is in partnership with 377 universities worldwide- 298 in Europe- 79 in the Americas, Africa, and in Asia-

Pacific

ABOUT AALBORG UNIVERSITY

Visting Scholar at H-star

• Inspiring to spent some time in another research

environment

• State of Art – related research

• Host Jeremy Bailenson VHIL

• Future collaboration

My PhD is about……

• How communication, learning and identity is closely linked together• Recreating oneself/identity by interaction in immersive virtual worlds

Transforming the rehabilitation landscape into an immersive virtual environment will give possibilities for:

– multimodal ways of communication– social interactions– emotional experiences– Presentation oneself– involvement of the body will affect the brain reestablishing process

positively and promote cognitive and communicative functions

(Moreover a social life and be free to independently using technologies)

 

•  

Arguments1. IVW opens up for bodily immersion and interacting

through avatar mediating.

2. Interacting in 3D IVW fires (almost) the same neurons as interaction in the real world

3. IVW provides the opportunity for use of multiple sensory stimuli, and for the promotion and development of the nervous lanes in the brain.

Empirical Work (2010-2012)

Establishment of a project group (people suffering from aphasia, relatives and speech therapists)

Interviews (before and after the pilot courses)

Workshops ( dialog/ activities about needs and wishes for aphasiac)

Pilot Courses (observations, videotape)