Virtual Aerospace Center of Excellence Workshop

NASA Langley Research Center

April 30 – May 1, 2009

Education – The ResultsGreg Selby, Old Dominion University

We considered the four suggested Breakout Issues

Breakout Session Question #1If unlimited funds were available, what key capabilities would you recommend be included in a Virtual Aerospace Center of Excellence (VACE) that would make it a true working laboratory capable of supporting education?

Question #1 - ResponsesOpen access to a virtual world in which

students design experiments and explore features in order to manipulate variables and discover STEM and other subject material

Desirable to have data models/data types compatible between virtual world platforms

Availability of all required hardware to have a effective and reliable virtual world

VACE resources to be internationally available – open access

Question #1 – Responses, Cont’dReal-world problems/challenges (design

and other types) would be generated and posted and mentors would be provided by NASA, as appropriate

Problems/challenges would be connected to SOL’s (Virginia) and national learning objectives

Problems/challenges would have an interactive feature, allowing participants to receive feedback, modify input, and investigate consequences

Question #1 – Responses, Cont’dResources would be easily accessible and

readily affordable for target audienceSupporting software would be available at

no cost or minimum cost to participating school systems and other educational entities

Appropriate training would be provided to teachers and facilitators, including classes and workshops – consideration of fostering a culture change may be necessary to promote participation

Question #1 – Responses, Cont’dVACE Team to develop

courses/content that support K-12/K-20 instructionInclude elementary, secondary, post-

secondary teachers/instructors as team members

Design tools made readily available, e.g., simulation and modeling software – space probe/vehicle trajectory simulations

Game technology emphasized in developing educational software

Question #1 – Responses, Cont’dVACE Team to develop

courses/content that support K-12/K-20 instruction, cont’dIncorporate features that promote the

independent development of virtual world content by students

Content to be multidisciplinary in nature

Emphasis to be placed on the development of STEM materials

VACE educational resources would be aggressively promoted for use by remote school districts for obvious benefit

Question #1 – Responses, Cont’dVACE Team to develop courses/content that support K-12/K-20 instruction, cont’dConnect to NSF and other depositories

of software/ simulations and provide navigation assistance

Provide incentives for students to participate; e.g., VACE Scholars Program

Breakout Session Question #2What attributes of existing virtual environments foster education?

Question #2 - ResponsesPertaining primarily to SL (Second Life)Age-appropriate material is featured

Software designers/users (teachers)/ facilitators can control level of interaction for students

Question #2 – Responses, cont’dPertaining primarily to SL (Second Life)Platforms interest student audienceVisually attractiveStudents immersion in programming

with embedded tutoringInteractivity emphasizedFeedback/assessment/immediate

evaluation feature that is embedded and informal

Question #2 – Responses, cont’dPertaining primarily to SL (Second Life)Platforms interest student audienceOpen-endedness of exploration process

appealing (considering consequences of choices enhances critical-thinking skills)

Social interactions with peer groups appealing due partially to inhibitions being diminished

Opportunity for Virtual Science Fairs

Question #2 – Responses, cont’dPertaining primarily to SL (Second Life)Non-traditional approaches to problem solutions featured

Participants help create fulfilling experiences

Potential to have a “token economy”

Breakout Session Question #3 What do you believe are the limitations of existing virtual environments relative to enabling education? Technological Limitations Social Limitations Limitations on Human Perception or Cognition

Question #3 - Responses Content not always appropriate for student audiences

Lack of thorough evaluation of knowledge gained

Time available to teachers to efficiently utilize Virtual World technology is not sufficient due to normal daily responsibilities

Question #3 – Responses, cont’d Ownership of content created may be a deterrent to participation

Bandwidth and infrastructure problems

Lack of parent access and oversight

Question #3 – Responses, cont’d Insufficient control of content; e.g., commercial entities may monopolize certain aspects of VWs

Expectations may not completely match Real World experiences

Breakout Session Question #4 What is required to build the key capabilities needed by a VACE?

Question #4 - Responses

Collaboration among stakeholders

Dedicated building/facilityContinuous funding sourceConsistent updating of technology

Question #4 – Responses, cont’dRemediation for learnersTeam projectsConcentration on career interests where appropriate and also opportunity for teaching across disciplines

Conclusions

A VACE will be beneficial for all educational stakeholders

Students will be the major beneficiaries

Strong recommendation to proceed in a timely manner