Exploring Education in Virtual Worlds

Cynthia Calongne, aka Lyr Lobo

Image by C. Calongne, physics experiment by a student in Second Life

Virtual World Strengths

• 3D content

• Identity diversity

• Community

• Immersion

• Engagement

• Collaboration

• High social presence

• Activity-based learning

• Problem-based learning

• Replication – process, curriculum and rezzers

Class Projects in 3D

Lyr Lobo’s class projects video, made with Animoto

http://ctusoftware.blogspot.com/2013/10/from-mars-to-margaritavillean-em-825.html

Class Presentations – Civic Justice

Immersive Experiences

What Educators Want

• Access control

• Content control

• Easy maintenance

• Improved usability

• Easy server hosting

• Authentic assessment

• Reduced cognitive load

• Rubrics and easy grading

• Safe learning environments

Martian World’s Fair

Projects that Integrate Existing Content

Human Barometer

Studies

Controversial

Subjects

What the Administration Fears

• Change

• Litigation

• Responsibility

• Reputation loss

• Exposure to adverse situations

• Personal or professional risks

• Loss of control – access or content

• Lack of a safe learning environment

• Adopting new roles - pioneer vs. settler

• Loss of instructional and personal power

Integrating Content to Transform Minds

Lyr Lobo’s contact info:

http://bit.ly/ccalongne