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This presentation is an introduction to 3D virtual environments teaching. I will go over the basics of how an avatar-based 3D virtual world can be used in the classroom to improve engagement, cooperation, critical thinking, motivation and digital citizenship skills. The document below was provided as a handout. It is a summary version of Global Kids, Inc’s Best Practices in Using Virtual Worlds for Education (see the original http://olpglobalkids.org/pdfs/BestPractices.pdf). Check the full version online for detailed info in each section.A. Best practices for working in a VW1. What happens in your VW stays in your VW 2. Create multiple places of meaning 3. If you build it, they will come 4. Go beyond your VW 5. Use real world content when addressing real world issues6. Don’t wait until someone has the floor to start typing7. Don’t fear multiple communication channels.8. Carefully design and build the tools required.9. Ensure the program is designed for the recruited participantsB. Best practices for bringing a class into a VW1. Build, build, build!2. Don’t just build; design and manipulate avatars.3. Think globally, act locally.4. Know when your students know best5. Employ effective, rigorous, targeted recruitment.6. Replace the dominant VE culture with your own.7. Support emerging leadershipC. Best practices using a VW for real world education1. Playground versus Workplace2. Performative3. Collaboration and Cross-functional Teams4. Social Networking5. Recognize and Support Skill Stratification6. Teacher becomes Facilitator, Student becomes Peer Mentor7. Scale Projects to Fit Resources8. Situate your VW within a Larger Internet Ecology9. Leverage In-world Resources10. When Technology Fails, Know When To Move On11. Time is Relative12. Distance Learning ToolD. Best practices for bringing content into a VW1. Interactive workshops2. Photo shows3. Scavenger hunts4. Quizzes5. Building contests6. Guest speakers7. Movie screenings8. Role play9. Architecture10. T-shirts and accessories11. Panel discussions and debates12. Create machinimaResourcesA Guide to Using Problem-Based Learning in Second Life >>http://previewpsych.org/BPD2.0.pdfScilands Best Practices in Education Panel and Discussion >>http://www.slideshare.net/01archivist/scilands-best-practices-in-education-panel-and-discussionKZero Worldswide (ref. Virtual Worlds maps)>> http://www.kzero.co.uk/The Blue Book: A Consumer Guide to Virtual Worlds (11/17/2010 just released by the Association of Virtual Worlds)>>http://www.associationofvirtualworlds.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/AVW-The-Blue-Book-Nov-2010.pdfVirtual World KitsActiveworlds Software Development Kit >> http://www.activeworlds.com/products/download.asp Edusim (for the classroom interactive whiteboard) >> http://edusim.ning.com/ Jibe >> http://jibemix.com/ OpenSimulator >> http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Main_Page Unity3D >> http://unity3d.com/…among others. Shop around. Some are free downloads, others are commercial products. Check the specs for each, ask for recommendations based on your virtual world project, and triple check the company’s customer support and if there is any special attention catering to educators. Virtual world kits are not made equal and some are just simply not designed for first users/creators without programming knowledge.Another option is to shop around the current worlds which already cater to educators (3rd Rock Grid, Reaction Grid, ScienceSim…) or use online worlds relevant to your students’ age group and your discipline content (e.g., kidscom.com for health, ecology, and global awareness).
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MUVE Your Pupils: Best Practices in Multi-User Virtual
Environments for Learning
By Dr. Sabine Lawless-Reljic
San Diego Computer-Using Educators, November 6, 2010
Technical best practices
• Web integration– Registration– Portal– Database backend– Summary, results,
history– Reporting tools
• In-World Practice– Sizing and
Proportions– Bypassing inventory– Customized themes
and viewer selection– Consistent HUD
based instructions– Managing cam
controls
Strategies
• Interactive practice (Genome: Genetics)• Student discussion groups & guest speakers• Field trips• Independent projects on a theme (biome:
modeling in science)• Glossed-over machinima (Biome: Cell Tour)• Exhibits• Fun stuff (fly, tp, vehicles, etc.)
EDTECH700 Cathy Arreguin with SDSU, Spring 2010
Don’ts
• Don’t go into a VW without a purpose• Don’t build without a specific purpose• Don’t expect users to understand the
opportunities• Don’t plan a MUVE session without a RL plan
Death by PowerPoint can happen anywhere.
Your class• Get students up and running quickly• Allow individual expressions in avatar appearance• Get them involved in the Metaverse
(island>world, grid>hypergrid, other VWs)• Encourage emoticons in text and gestures
shortcuts (important proxy for body language)• Attend an event• Engage one or more guest speakers• Have them join one or more groups• Be understanding with technological issues
Text or Voice?• Benefits of Voice:
– Familiarity (What we are used to f2f)– Indicator of gender, emotion, etc. (pitch, tone, ..)– Good when typing not necessary or too slow
• Benefits of Text:– Participation increase & simultaneous– Easy archiving– Access for many disabled students
>>Distribute media based on context and role if MUVE allows it.
Digital Citizenship & Internet Safety
• Intellectual Property Laws• Creative Commons• Licensing• What is/isn’t legal to download
• Cyberbullying• TMI (Too Much Information)• Cyber predators• Social Networking• IM/e-mail/txt/chatrooms
Resources
• Scilands Best Practices in Education Panel and Discussion>>http://www.slideshare.net/01archivist/scilands-
best-practices-in-education-panel-and-discussion
• A Guide to Using Problem-Based Learning in Second Life>>http://previewpsych.org/BPD2.0.pdf
Contact InfoSabine K. Lawless-Reljic, Ed.D.• Communication Officer for ARVEL (Applied Research in
Virtual Environments for Learning)ARVEL SIG: http://www.arvelsig.com
• Web: Sabine Reljic (Skype, Twitter)• Virtual Worlds: Willow Shenlin (3rd Rock Grid, 3DXplorer,
InWorldz, Reaction Grid, Science Grid, Second Life, SmallWorlds); Willow Virtual (Grand Central Sim); WillowWarC (World Of Warcraft); SKYlawless (Blue Mars); Sabine Reljic (AET Zone, ScienceSim).
