victoria lynn walker unc tlt virtual worlds presentation - second life in education
DESCRIPTION
Presented by Victoria Lynn Walker at the UNC Teaching and Learning with Technology Conference, March 14, 2008. Victoria discussed the process and pedagogical lessons learned from using the 3D virtual-world environment Second Life in online courses in a blended graduate degree program in counseling. Victoria was involved in developing the virtual-world learning environment, integrating its use in counseling courses in a blended master’s program, and is currently completing research on using virtual environments in higher education. The objective was to present a study of using a 3D virtual-world learning environment in online courses with a cohort of students in a blended graduate degree program. Using the results of student weekly reflections, surveys, course evaluations, and interviews, the presenter discussed the implications, and offer practical suggestions for using virtual-world learning environments in blended and online courses.TRANSCRIPT
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
What Constitutes a Learning Environment?
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Unique Needs of Online Education
Maintaining student engagement Developing a community Providing immediate feedback Similar learning opportunities Hands-on interactive activities
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Unique Needs of Online Education
Student content interaction Faculty student Student student interaction
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
3D Virtual Worlds
Commonly referred to as MMORGs, MMOGs, MMORLs, or other similar acronyms
Online persistent world
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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)
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
3D Virtual Worlds in Hybrid & Online Courses
Social interaction Collaboration Visual instruction Role-playing and simulation Immersion Authentic learning experiences
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Pilot Study - Topics
Problem State & HistoryImplementing Desired SolutionArchitecture Phase LaunchOutcomesSuggestions to You
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Program Technology Needs
Asynchronous and synchronous technologies to teach students
Method to appraise/assess student skills Administration support IT /Instructional designer support
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Faculty Needs
Instruction tools Virtual counseling training facility Privacy expectation Administration support IT / Instructional design support
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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)
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Before the Second Life Build
Blackboard discussion board group areas
Wimba chat white board
Skype chat voice
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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”
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Implementing Desired Solution
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Identify Resources Needed
Authority/Empowerment – From Admin Contributors
Instructional Designer – builder, trainer, supportInstructor – to teach course testing technologyProgram Director - guidance
Software/Hardware
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Architecture Phase
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Formulation of Environment
Closed Access for approved persons only Technology tools – (whiteboard, note box,
video screen)
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Formulation of Environment
Facility with areas for: group sessions counseling labs classrooms
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Formulation of Environment
Labs appropriate furniture and decor one-way mirror even a box of Kleenex
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Launch
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Pre-Launch
Final Review Develop Tutorials Train Faculty Train Students
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Site Launch
A Truly Live Virtual Counselor Training Facility
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
Outcomes
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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”
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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
Victoria Lynn Walker email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas
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 email: [email protected] or [email protected] SL - Zeana Tammas