Ramaswami, R. (2011) Is There a Second Life for Virtual Worlds? Campus Technology, September 1
Palomäki, E. (2009) Applying 3D Virtual Worlds to Higher Education Helsinki FIN: Helsinki University of Technology
The article in Campus Technology provides a thoughtful and well-researched overview of the current state of virtual worlds in higher education, drawing heavily on Eero Palomäki’s master’s thesis, but also on several other sources.
Some of the conclusions:
- don’t try to replicate a classroom: do what can’t be done in a classroom
- it’s hard work: there are technological and pedagogical challenges in making virtual worlds work in higher education
- cultural issues: the ‘capitalist, real-estate view of the world’ in Second Life clashes with higher education’s culture of collaboration and sharing
- effective training for both instructors and learners in how to operate in virtual worlds is essential
- high level IT support is essential
- find a niche: certain areas lend themselves to virtual worlds; others don’t
- motion capture is needed to provide more ‘realism’
Virtual worlds aren’t dead yet then, but definitely need more development if they are to become mainstream in post-secondary education
Recent Comments
Tony Bates on Discussing design models for hybrid/blended learning and the impact on the campus
Very nice story, Howard. Yes, I guess that sums up my law of equal substitution - it all depends on the...Howard Davis on Discussing design models for hybrid/blended learning and the impact on the campus
Hi Tony, not to muddle your observation about "high/low" emotional meetings since I agree with it, but I have direct...Tony Bates on Discussing design models for hybrid/blended learning and the impact on the campus
Good comments, Denise. I agree: I think 'non-academic' or non-content issues, such as availability of support, cost, student needs, and methods...Tony Bates on Discussing design models for hybrid/blended learning and the impact on the campus
Thanks for this comment, Howard. Your 'flipped' question is an interesting one. I think at an exploratory stage, for brainstorming, etc.,...Math Calculus on e-learning outlook for 2012: will it be a rough ride?
I think it will not be tough as long as the educators are going to do their bestDenise Nelson on Discussing design models for hybrid/blended learning and the impact on the campus
Hi Tony, Thanks for sharing your discussion of design models of hybrid/blended learning. Important considerations of whether the learning will take...Howard Davis on Discussing design models for hybrid/blended learning and the impact on the campus
Tony, just to flip your question a bit: how would your F2F workshop have differed if it had been held...Tony Bates on Discussing design models for hybrid/blended learning and the impact on the campus
Thanks for your very thoughtful comments, Mark. Your comments about different cultural backgrounds is very much on the ball. However, I...