The Role of Three Dimensional Virtual Environments in the Development of Personal
Learning Networks
A. NikolaouDepartment of EducationUniversity of the Aegean
Rhodes, Greece
C. Tsolakidis Department of EducationUniversity of the Aegean
Rhodes, Greece
2013
Personal Learning Networks
The development of digital technologies and the amount of information needed for updating knowledge, raise the need for managing personal and professional development.
PLN Definition
A network of people Aiming to learn Contributing to learning With the guidance of some
members Creating learning
opportunities, giving answers to questions
The development of a PLN is based on personal choices and is a network of connections based on needs
A PLN includes
the tools that facilitate the networks developmentthe people who constitute the networkspersonal relationshipscontacts
Key elements that characterize the relationships developed between members of the network are reciprocity and trust
They are not social networks
They describe informal learning habits and create learning opportunities
They have autonomous structure created by each person so as to serve personal learning needs and they are not limited by collective goals.
PLN and learning needs
Through the right contacts and the tools, PLNs can provide access to excellence worldwide.
There is no collective intention
Do not share a common goal or a common field of knowledge and interests
A PLN is formed as the result of the individual search of the person who initially created it.
PLN characteristics
3-D virtual environments
Multi-user environmentsUse of avatar as virtual representative Tool for synchronous and asynchronous communicationTool for socialization and learningSense of sharing the same placeSense of immersionCo-presenceInteractivityRealistic representation of the environment
Second Life
Immersive 3D Virtual environmentCreated by its usersCustomizable avatarAccess from anywhere and anytimeAccess to desktop applications, web sites and filesCollaborative featuresProvides 3D objects building tools Scripting language
Second Life characteristics
Creation of Groups in Second Life
Media for various activities
Carrying and communicating information
Allow people to share files and three-dimensional objects
Tools of mass communication
Facilitate the discovery of common interests
Help build virtual communities
Share files and three-dimensional objects
Provide links to other Internet applications
Update and manage the plethora of activities in SL
Groups integrated tools 1
Group NoticesNotificationsNotecards3D objects sharingGroup chat channelGroup voice channel
Group Notices
Notecards
Inventory
Groups integrated tools 2
Methodology
In a fast developing innovative field of research the generally accepted standards on methodology cannot be applied.
A cyclical model survey of online interviews was chosen.
Presentation of research model by an American Education Research Association ARVEL (Applied Research in Virtual Environments for
Learning) in SL
Research questions
Why do members of Groups use SL for the creation and development of PLNs?
How does participation in SL Groups contributes to the creation and development of PLNs?
Sample Criteria
The participants should be members of a SL Group of training or educational characterGroups should be active during the researchResearchers should be able to communicate with willing members of the group (by email, phone, presence in social media, etc)
Lead to Nonrandom sample
Members of Virtual Worlds
Educators Roundtable
VWER
Sample
The questionnaire was sent to the group on facebook VWER, specifically to individuals who reported participating in recent events.
14 VWER members were interviewed online
Online interviews
DATA ANALYSIS 1
Participation in Groups in SL creates: networking opportunities with like-minded peoplea sense of trust and acceptanceconditions for real communication and relationships
The key causes for the formation and development of PLN
Overcoming of geographical or time barriers
DATA ANALYSIS 2
Collaborative features Support, assistance and mutual help provided to membersFacilitation of discussionOvercoming of geographical or time barriers Facilitation of people with impaired hearing or visionOpportunity to multiple users to work together and edit the same object simultaneously
Innovation diffusion
According to the theory of adoption and diffusion of innovation SL Group members are “early adopters”
"The reason is that I am close to a group of people who are not afraid to experiment, to explore, to overcome limits and restrictions in order to discover the appropriate things for learning and teaching"
DATA ANALYSIS 3
Co-creationPrim modeling
The inegrated tools that are necessary to built three-dimensional objects, allow the development of a suitable learning environment to meet the individual requirements of users.
DATA ANALYSIS 4
Creating learning objects
3D object building contests
Development of initiatives carried out by Groups that are related to the adoption of innovative methods and techniques, to realise goals set in real life:Visits to museums (Sistine Chapel, Louvre, Toys Museum, etc)Collections (ancient Greek technology, computers, musical instruments etc)Galleries of modern art
Performances
Visits to museums or ancient sites
Guided tour to Maya's Island
3D Interactive Art Installations
Art exhibitions and artistic events
3D Interactive Art Installations
Social events
Experiential and collaborative activities organized by Groups
Role playing Treasure huntsTouring in selected virtual educational sites Three dimensional objects contests (buildings, landscapes, virtual labs and interactive learning objects)Foreign languages learning activitiesLecturesConferences, seminars Theatrical performances Concerts, thematic musical events Art exhibitionsCounselingEvents supporting the work of non-profit organizationsVirtual libraries activities
ISTE in Second Life
Lectures, workshops, seminars
Educational activities
“Happy Hippo” building tutorial area
5th Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conferences 2012
5th Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conferences 2012
Creating a dynamic learning network
contributes to:
sharing resources
content creation
feedback
construction of knowledge
SL Gproup members useof integrated SL tools for connections
DiscussionThe need for managing the renewed knowledge seems to push participants to the quest of better ways for approaching it
Change of the way in which people adapt to the new technological environment
Need for acquiring new skills and
Have access to new educational resources
Drive into new strategies for
learning
Beyond official and
institutionalised frameworks
PLN
The causes of use 1
The SL Group members through their participation in virtual activities develop their PLNs
become informedupdate their knowledge find new opportunities for learning
The causes of use 2
Have access in excellence of their scientific fielddevelop contacts with like-minded peopleinteract with their learning environment create frameworks of support exchange educational resourcespioneer in diffusion of innovationcreate learning networksno geographical, time and financial restrictions
Interactive learning environment
How participants use SL Groups
exchanging ideas enhancing promotion of good practicessharing of educational resourcescollaborating in the domains of their interestsapproaching expertshelping, consultingpersonal development
The impact of 3DVE on PLNs
Co-presence Networking
Social components of learning
3DV ENVIRONMENTS Sharing of contentNew culture of social and participatory learningSupport non formal learning strategies
DEVELOP
PLNs
THAKNK YOU
