Teaching in Virtual Worlds

Karen Brooks

What is a Virtual World?

• MUVE (plural MUVEs) refers to online, multi-user virtual environments, sometimes called virtual worlds.

• an extension of our real world that exists only online.

• A virtual world is a computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact via avatars.

Game Based Learning Theory http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/games/

• Game based learning (GBL) is a branch of serious games that deals with applications that have defined learning outcomes.

• It uses simulation and MUVEs as the teaching tool.• GBL uses competitive exercises, either pitting the students

against each other or getting them to challenge themselves in order to motivate them to learn better.

• Games often have a fantasy element that engages players in a learning activity through a storyline.

• In order to create a truly educational game, the instructor needs to make sure that learning the material is essential to scoring and winning.

Why use GBL?

• Motivates students to learn • Immerses them in the material so they learn

more effectively • Encourages them to learn from their mistakes• It uses environments they consider fun and

are currently using.

Trends in Virtual Worlds

• Increase in 5-15 year olds who use Virtual Worlds in 2009

• Increase in girls using Virtual Worlds in 2009• An explosion of Virtual Worlds on the Internet

in 2008• Teen-focused virtual worlds are huge.

How Are Kids Currently Using Virtual Worlds?

Lively by Googlehttp://www.lively.com/dr?rid=816945116627555151

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YbwfOucET8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FNk9zMFzW8

So How Can They Be Educational?

They can visit places in virtual worlds that they are learning about in class and may never get the chance to see in real life.http://www.beyondspaceandtime.org/FCBSTWeb/web/index.html#link=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjQB4DXXUm0&eurl=http://www.psfk.com/2008/10/visit-beijings-forbidden-city-via-virtual-world.html

They can work collaboratively in virtual world using problem based learning to solve real life problems as in Harvard’s River City project.http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/

http://muveb.gse.harvard.edu/~muvers/rivercityvideos/H264%20web/RC%20Project-pro-RC%20Full%20Sequence.mov

More Videos: http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/view/rc_videos.html

They can develop virtual worlds for their own learning experiences and to teach others.http://teen.secondlife.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGMH_1VnnaY

The Pioneer School District in Teen SL. http://rampoislands.blogspot.com/http://rampoislands.blogspot.com/

Active Worlds http://www.activeworlds.com/edu/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q26rqNGFA-E

Other Virtual Worlds to Explore They may be educational or social

http://www.virtualworldsreview.com/info/categories.shtml

• http://www.zanpo.com/ Create a Virtual City

• http://www.byond.com/games/ Can create your own games – 2D

• http://www.myminilife.com/ Create your own mini life – social network

• http://www.multiverse.net/index.html

Simulations to Check Out for Education

• http://www.mcvideogame.com/index-eng.html Run the McDonalds Company

• http://www.3rdworldfarmer.com/ Third World Farmer• http://www.electrocity.co.nz/ Build a City – it needs a Mayor• http://www.digital-humans.org/main.htm Virtual Soldier• http://www.socialstudiescentral.com/?q=node/88 SS

Simulations• http://www.globalisland.nu/pages_intro/en/index.php?

lang=en Global Island• http://www.chemcollective.org/applets/vlab.php

ChemCollective

Continued

• Using Virtual Worlds to create lessons - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Math_Girl

• http://www.eduweb.com/portfolio/designsatellite/ Design Your Own Satellite

Now

Let’s Explore