Virtual Worlds and Education

Wietse van Bruggen

Outline

• What are virtual worlds• Virtual worlds vs. Games• Key characteristics• Value for education

3 D Virtual Worlds

- Second Life- Active Worlds

Virtual Worlds

• Avatars, visual presentation of a person• Be who you want to be

Virtual Worlds

• Everything in these virtual worlds is created by its own users

Meet/communicate/play

form identities

recreate the real world

Or create something new

Virtual worlds vs. Games

• Games have predefined goals• Goals are embedded in the structure of the game

• Virtual worlds have no predefined goals• Users have to set their own goals

Virtual worlds are..

• Multimedia– Combination of media– Create/consume media– Simulations

Virtual worlds are..

• Time and place– has its own time– has its own sense of place– distance learning– internationalisation

Virtual worlds are..

• Communication– Synchronous– Asynchronous– Collaboration– Internationalisation

Virtual worlds are..

• Identity– experimentation– take on different roles

Virtual worlds are..

• flexible– adapt to learning goals– learning styles– Manipulate existing

objects

So...

• How does that translate to education?

• 2007– Pilot projects– Support with training– Let schools come up with their own ideas– Evaluate their findings

Kunstklas/Scienceklas wereld De Ideale School

Portfolio Ostrea Hotel

Virtueel Taaldorp Techniek op de CSV

Miss Hair on Avatar verkiezing

Expose your TalentDeventer in 2025De Burgh in Brugge

Some conclusions

• Very complex • Very time-consuming• recreating school buildings

• But:– Definitely educational potential– Student motivation

2008

• Wider variety of didactic scenarios• More variation in teaching styles• Develop with VW experts, teachers, game designers

etc.• Let teachers give their opinion through short films

Scenarios

• Science classroom• Virtual history lecture• Virtual Body• Showroom• Language space• Virtual company• Virtual city• Virtual cultures

Com

ple

xity

Highest rated

not too complexAdded value

Lowest rated

Simple but not a lot of added value

Complex, not efficiënt

• questions ? • W.vanbruggen@kennisnet.nl