Full Description
Three-dimensional (3D) immersive virtual worlds have been touted asbeing capable of facilitating highly interactive, engaging, multimodallearning experiences. Much of the evidence gathered to support theseclaims has been anecdotal but the potential that these environmentshold to solve traditional problems in online and technology-mediatededucation—primarily learner isolation and studentdisengagement—has resulted in considerable investments in virtualworld platforms like Second Life, OpenSimulator, and Open Wonderland byboth professors and institutions. To justify this ongoing and sustainedinvestment, institutions and proponents of simulated learningenvironments must assemble a robust body of evidence that illustratesthe most effective use of this powerful learning tool.
In this authoritative collection, a team of international expertsoutline the emerging trends and developments in the use of 3D virtualworlds for teaching and learning. They explore aspects of learnerinteraction with virtual worlds, such as user wayfinding in SecondLife, communication modes and perceived presence, and accessibilityissues for elderly or disabled learners. They also examine advancedtechnologies that hold potential for the enhancement of learnerimmersion and discuss best practices in the design and implementationof virtual world-based learning interventions and tasks. By evaluatingand documenting different methods, approaches, and strategies, thecontributors to Learning in Virtual Worlds offer importantinformation and insight to both scholars and practitioners in thefield.
Contents
List of Abbreviations vii
List of Tables and Figures ix
Acknowledgements xiii
Foreword xv
Introduction xix
PART ONE: HUMAN - COMPUTER INTERACTION
1 Navigation and Wayfinding in Learning Spaces in 3D Virtual Worlds/ Shailey Minocha and Christopher Hardy
2 Communication Modality, Learning, and Second Life / StephanyF. Wilkes
3 Virtual Body: Implications for Identity, Interaction, andDidactics / Laura Fedeli
4 (In)Accessible Learning in Virtual Worlds / Robert L. Todd,Jessica Pater, and Paul M. A. Baker
5 Benefits of Second Life in the Ageing Population / AnnSmith
6 The Reality of Authentic Learning in Virtual Worlds / Helen S.Farley
PART TWO • ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
7 Conversational Agents in Second Life: Freudbot / Bob Heller,Mike Procter, and Corbin Rose
8 Virtual Bots: Their Influence on Virtual Worlds, and How They CanIncrease Interactivity and Immersion through VirtualPREX / TorstenReiners, Sue Gregory, and Vicki Knox
PART THREE • LEARNING DESIGN ANDIMPLEMENTATION
9 Analyzing Teaching Practices in Second Life: A Design Taxonomy forthe Implementation of Workshops in Virtual Worlds / StevenWarburton and Margarita Pérez García
10 Netconnect Virtual Worlds: Results of a Learning Experience /Francesca Bertacchini and Assunta Tavernise
11 Scaffolding Learning Through the Use of Virtual Worlds /Chris Campbell and Leanne Cameron
12 Challenges and Strategies in Designing Cross-national Learning:Team Projects in Virtual Worlds / Paul Resta and MiriShonfeld
13 Introduction to Laws Relevant to Virtual Worlds in HigherEducation / Layla F. Tabatabaie
Conclusion 295
List of Contributors 307
Index 315
