victoria lynn walker unc tlt virtual worlds presentation - second life in education

3-D Virtual World Learning Environments (i.e.- Second Life) in Blended and Online Education

With: Victoria Lynn Walker

About

Victoria Walker, Web Developer/Instructional Designer

Regent University School of Psychology and

Counseling Area of research interest includes

emerging technologies for traditional and distance education

Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas

Topics to be Covered

3D Virtual Worlds in Education Unique needs of Online Education – Blended

and Distance Education Courses Pilot Study – Online and blended courses in

counseling


What Constitutes a Learning Environment?


Unique Needs of Online Education

Maintaining student engagement Developing a community Providing immediate feedback Similar learning opportunities Hands-on interactive activities


Unique Needs of Online Education

Student content interaction Faculty student Student student interaction


3D Virtual Worlds

Commonly referred to as MMORGs, MMOGs, MMORLs, or other similar acronyms

Online persistent world


3D Virtual Worlds

Users to exist as an avatar and interact with other players/residents

Popular 3D virtual environments – Second Life, There, Active Worlds, World of Warcraft (WoW)


3D Virtual Worlds & Education

Authentic learning environment Extension of a traditional classroom or as the

medium for distance learning Marketing opportunities - programs and

research Partnership among educational professionals

globally


3D Virtual Worlds in Hybrid & Online Courses

Social interaction Collaboration Visual instruction Role-playing and simulation Immersion Authentic learning experiences


Pilot Study - Topics

Problem State & HistoryImplementing Desired SolutionArchitecture Phase LaunchOutcomesSuggestions to You


Problem State and History

Several online counseling programs at Regent New programs scheduled to launch in 2009 Students learning counseling skills in isolation Faculty struggling improve student experience

and student understanding


Program Technology Needs

Asynchronous and synchronous technologies to teach students

Method to appraise/assess student skills Administration support IT /Instructional designer support


The Course

Human Services Counseling (HSC) - Online counseling program

Learning nonclinical counseling and group therapy skills

Professors stressed to find methods to assist in teaching students


Faculty Needs

Instruction tools Virtual counseling training facility Privacy expectation Administration support IT / Instructional design support


Student Needs

Professor to student & student to student learning opportunities

Access to university asynchronous and synchronous learning technologies

Learning environment conductive to learning counseling skills with peers

Instructor feedback and support IT support Privacy (ethical expectations)


The Problem

No counseling lab experience with instant critique

Unable to see professors or peers model skills Classmate practice experience was not

providing adequate understanding Long gaps with no feedback


Before the Second Life Build

Blackboard discussion board group areas

Wimba chat white board

Skype chat voice


Situated Learning Theory

Situated Learning (Lave) – learning is function of activity, context, culture in which is occurs

Principles: 1. Knowledge needs to be presented in an

authentic context, i.e., settings and applications that would normally involve that knowledge.

2. Learning requires social interaction and collaboration - critical, learners within a “community of practice”


Implementing Desired Solution


Planning Stage – Formulate Strategy

Find a format that will serve both the program and student needs visual environment secure and private ease of access financially plausible educationally appropriate


Virtual World - A Useful Tool

Customized simulated setting Ease of access Integrate with other technologies in use

Skype Link to current LMS course (Blackboard) Streaming video


Identify Resources Needed

Authority/Empowerment – From Admin Contributors

Instructional Designer – builder, trainer, supportInstructor – to teach course testing technologyProgram Director - guidance

Software/Hardware


Architecture Phase


Formulation of Environment

Closed Access for approved persons only Technology tools – (whiteboard, note box,

video screen)



Facility with areas for: group sessions counseling labs classrooms



Labs appropriate furniture and decor one-way mirror even a box of Kleenex


Launch


Pre-Launch

Final Review Develop Tutorials Train Faculty Train Students


Site Launch

A Truly Live Virtual Counselor Training Facility


Outcomes


Overall Data Review

Almost half the students considered themselves computer literate

Time for comfort level seems to be 2-3 weeks – this was consistent across computer literacy levels

On average students logged in 3 times per week Students want increased opportunities for live, media

rich interaction – but don’t want a steep learning curve


Overall Data Review

The most negative responses came from those who self reported as very illiterate

Students who reported the most learning overall were those who reported the highest degrees of affective learning

This lends additional support to the psychosocial aspects of SL

The implication is that the SL experience impacted the relational aspects of the learning experience to a greater extent than the cognitive ones


Student Perceived Learning

Some students reported more learning, the majority reported the same level of learning.

This implies that the SL experiment didn't detract from the overall learning.

Need for visual demonstration to model skills Recognized place of online world to deliver

counseling


Instructor Perspective

Steep learning curve Steady support & encouragement are needed Scheduling logistics need to be considered “A delight to watch their excitement after their

virtual session”


Our Suggestions

Require 1 credit course or training prior to use in courses

Write/build your own tutorials Have IT/Instructional Design support Get buy-in from all: Admin to students Buy an island - Make area and rooms private Incorporate course materials in building Schedule group practice times –students learn from

eachother Have a back-up plan


Resources

Second Life Listserv (SLED) – www.listssecondlife.com

Second Life Wiki – www.simteach.com International Society of Technology in

Education (ISTE) - http://slurl.com/secondlife/ISTE%20Island/93/83/30

Contact – [email protected]


victoria lynn walker unc tlt virtual worlds presentation - second life in education

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