the role of three dimensional virtual environments in the development of personal learning networks...

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