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MINDSCENE™ is the fusion of the potent learning tool known as Mind Mapping with 3D virtual reality and stereo scopic display technology. This exciting development has come about through the collaboration of the skilled 3D development team at Reach Out Interactives and Middlesbrough City Learning Centre. See video clip below outlining uses and advantages of Mindscene and demonstrating the "Of Mice & Men" Mindscene application.

Essentially MINDSCENE is the core technology behind interactive 3D Mindmapping. Rather than utilising the conventional approach of a standard 2D mindmap it takes users to a new level of conceptualisation by bringing in a third dimension allowing all of the VAK (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic) senses to be stimulated. Instead of just looking down on branches of a mindmap the user can travel along those branches in an interactive 3D world. At any time they can look at a conventional plan of the world but can then fly down and experience and interact with 3D objects within that world.

Triggers within the world set off animations and actions that draw the users attention and fuse their memory to the VAK triggers. Other functions for example allow the users to walk up to video boards within the world and playback clips or even put in their own text and images. They can manipulate 3D objects and interact with them. Current developments are working on the ability to allow users to author their own branches and load objects they think are relevant to that branch in essence create their own 3D map.

The first commercial MINDSCENE package is based on the classic novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck(see images below). The 3D Mindmap creates an engaging 3D world including 6 predefined branches that allows the user to experience and understand the key themes, characters, events and story behind the book. This engaging experience takes the user to a new level of understanding and memory fusion and is a must for any student studying the piece. Initial feedback on the software has seen improvements in retention of up to 70%.

The software has been configured for a standard PC but can also be run in the Reach Out Interactives “REACH OUT” 3D stereoscopic system for teacher led 3D interaction.

Minimum System requirements
Windows 2000/XP, 1.8ghz processor,256Mbyte ram, 64Mybte 3D graphics card, 600 megabytes of available disk space.