DML 640: Virtual Worlds in Education
This course examines the theoretical design principles and practical considerations involved in designing and delivering successful and meaningful learning experiences within 3-D, multi-user, immersive worlds, such as Second Life. Students will study relevant constructivist learning theories, including Social Constructivism (Vygotsky), Situated Learning (Lave and Wenger), and Connectivism (Siemans). Students will participate in a variety of education programs and use these theories to critically evaluate ways that virtual worlds are being used to support teaching and learning in K-12, higher education, and informal learning settings. Students will also have the opportunity to design an educational activity that makes use of virtual worlds.
Final Project
A research project on the reasons many educators have left Second Life to understand:
· What factors have caused early educational adopters of Second Life to leave the platform?
· Are educational institutions moving to other virtual world technology or abandoning virtual world implementation completely?
· What is the most significant issue impacting an institution’s decision to leave Second Life?
In addition to the literature review, an informal field study was undertaken to ask administrators and faculty at institutions that have discontinued their use of Second Life about the specific factors that led to that decision.
· What factors have caused early educational adopters of Second Life to leave the platform?
· Are educational institutions moving to other virtual world technology or abandoning virtual world implementation completely?
· What is the most significant issue impacting an institution’s decision to leave Second Life?
In addition to the literature review, an informal field study was undertaken to ask administrators and faculty at institutions that have discontinued their use of Second Life about the specific factors that led to that decision.