After just a day of DevLearn 09, I've come away with some awesome new knowledge, contacts and ideas. But I've also developed an irritation. An irritation connected to some peoples' over-exuberance with what they call 3D learning.

There are a number of 3D solutions out there with little people running around little offices, conference rooms and events. And like all tools, I've seen them used effectively...and effectively misused. Sometimes all they amount to is 3D wrapping paper around simple, expository content.

At that point, the best you can say is the process is more exploratory and the user has more control. But you could also say that the 3D environment is so contrived that it's a distraction to learning.

Designers should always ask themselves what delivery method best contributes to their objective, which is different that starting out by saying, "Wouldn't it be cool if...?" For me, if you're going to incorporate 3D into your solution, you'd also better include one or more of the following:

• Appropriate practice of the skills it takes to succeed
• Game play, rules, consequences...whatever it takes make it really immersive
• Avatars that are real enough to truly humanize the learning experience

When you boil it down, it's really about being appropriate. I mean, it just looks silly when you try to hit a hockey puck with a baseball bat.