Date post: | 16-Dec-2014 |
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Education |
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The value of Multi-user Virtual Environments
for tertiary education – A glimpse of Second Life
Dr Clare Atkins, NMITSLENZ project group
KORU
Arwenna Stardust
One person – many faces
What is Second Life?A 3D real-time fully interactive online digital world,
imagined created and owned by its residents – a MUVE
• Not really a ‘game’– no rules (only principles of behaviour), no specific purpose– can create games within in it, e.g. RPGs, Chess, Slingo– almost entirely built from user generated content
• An extremely rich virtual environment, – highly engaging roleplay opportunities– integrated eco-systems, – encourages/facilitates a high degree of collaborative action – Being used seriously by businesses, education institutes and
entertainment sources– facilitates experiential learning
Real-time weather visualisation, tsunami and hurricane simulations
Literature Alive
Impossible creations
Powerful experiential learning
Real time interactions
The SLENZ project Underway
• a full literature review on the potential of MUVEs
• identify suitable learning activities for SLTo come
• design learning experiences and develop resources with interested educators
• assist educators to pilot these experiences with students
• evaluate the learning from the project• share the learning and resources online
Large international community of
practice
Engaging with Second Life: Real education in a virtual world
•NMIT investigating education in MUVEs since 2006•NMIT has 2 islands in Second Life•NMIT has 1 island in ONGENS (NZ OpenSim grid)
2008 – 2009•NMIT led consortia of 4 ITPs and gained: • TEC Encouraging and supporting innovation funding• $500,000 for an 18 month project - SLENZ•http://slenz.wordpress.com
The SLENZ project Complete
• a full literature review on the potential of MUVEs
• identify suitable learning activities for SLUnderway• design learning experiences and develop
resources with interested educators• train staff from ITP sector to work with themTo Come• assist educators to pilot these experiences
with students • evaluate the learning from the project (CORE-
ED)• share the learning and resources online
The SLENZ project Potential types of learning activities
• ‘enhanced reality’ spaces• Rich role-playing simulations• Metaphorical representation of abstract
concepts• Student constructed learning• Real world simulations• Practising life-skills, collaboration,
communication• Language learning• Creative Arts
Issues around teaching in Second Life • Restricted to 18+ (or Teen Grid)• High bandwidth and high specification computers • Access to SL negotiated with IT services • Steep learning curve for staff and students• Lack of good 'classroom' tools such as whiteboards• Possibilities of SLOODLE• Public perception of 'online games'• Serious Fun – Serious Learning• Inter-institutional (and discipline) collaboration• Redefining distance education (and f2f)• Open or closed ? (creative commons licence)
Please visit The SLENZ project
http://slenz.wordpress.com/
Arwenna’s Blog http://arwennastardust.wordpress.com
NZ Education in a Virtual World (blog) http://eduforge.org/projects/slcampusnz/
Follow the links on the SLENZ blog for all documents, resources and videos produced by the SLENZ project
Email : [email protected] or IM Arwenna Stardust