Teaching and Learning Abstract Concepts by Means of Social Virtual Worlds

2019 ◽  
pp. 314-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Griol ◽  
Zoraida Callejas
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Educational Activities ◽  
Virtual Spaces ◽  
3D Objects ◽  
The World

Social Virtual Worlds are increasingly being used in education, as their flexibility can be exploited in order to create heterogeneous groups from all over the world who can collaborate synchronously in different virtual spaces. In this paper, the authors describe the potential of virtual worlds as an educative tool to teach and learn abstract concepts by means of programmable 3D objects. They describe the main experiences carried out recently in the application of these technologies in transnational educational activities that combine the Moodle learning resources and programmable 3D objects in the Second Life virtual world.

Teaching and Learning Abstract Concepts by Means of Social Virtual Worlds

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Griol ◽  
Zoraida Callejas
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Educational Activities ◽  
Virtual Spaces ◽  
3D Objects ◽  
The World

Social Virtual Worlds are increasingly being used in education, as their flexibility can be exploited in order to create heterogeneous groups from all over the world who can collaborate synchronously in different virtual spaces. In this paper, the authors describe the potential of virtual worlds as an educative tool to teach and learn abstract concepts by means of programmable 3D objects. They describe the main experiences carried out recently in the application of these technologies in transnational educational activities that combine the Moodle learning resources and programmable 3D objects in the Second Life virtual world.

Second Life

2013 ◽  
pp. 204-218
Author(s):  
Yvonne Masters ◽  
Sue Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning Environment

An increasing number of educational institutions are trialling the use of virtual worlds as teaching and learning environments, particularly for distance education students. In 2009 the authors have begun a research project to explore the efficacy of one such virtual world, Second Life, as a viable adjunct to other online learning experiences. However, it is now recognised that most academics have no experience of teaching in a virtual world. An integral aspect of our research is to examine whether a novice user of Second Life could quickly learn to teach effectively with this tool. The teaching experience is outlined from two points of view: the novice and the expert. The emergent themes are discussed and conclusions are made regarding the efficacy of Second Life as a teaching and learning environment for distance education students and the level of support that might be needed to assist other novices to teach in-world.

WHY PEOPLE JOIN VIRTUAL WORLDS OF COMPUTER GAMES? QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AMONGST POLISH USERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Hofman-Kohlmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Target Market ◽  
The World ◽  
Game Environment ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
Depth Interviews

Introduction: When virtual worlds (e.g. Second Life or World of Warcraft) became immensely popular, with millions of active users around the world, real life companies started to utilize them for business purposes, such as testing new products or organizing various events. However, the activities of companies can only be successful if a sufficient number of players are engaged in virtual worlds. Objectives: The present paper is aimed to investigate individual players’ motives for joining virtual worlds of computer games. Methods: The author carried out 22 in-depth interviews amongst polish players (20 were finally accepted) of three virtual worlds: The Sims, Second Life and Euro Track Simulator 2. Interviews were carried out from August 21, 2018 to December 5, 2018. Results: Respondents most frequently mentioned consecutively: curiosity (caused by TV series, TV programme, newspaper or advertisement), interact with others, interest in the topic of a game, enjoyment from playing, opportunity to see or do things unattainable in real life, exploring the virtual world, spending free time. With reference to the gratification paradigm, individual motivations were divided into: experiential (16 motives), functional (6 motives), social (3 motives). From the perspective of marketing managers, understanding the motivations of players allows them to describe the target market of their promotional activities inside the game environment. For game developers, it can help attract new and maintain current users.

scholarly journals The Social Construction of Virtual Reality and the Stigmatized Identity of the Newbie

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Boostrom, Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Virtual Spaces ◽  
The Social ◽  
Internet Connections ◽  
Stigmatized Identity

Persistent virtual spaces are becoming available to users, often for free, via internet connections. Due to the immersive character and malleability of these communities, new forms of technology-mediated social interaction are emerging. In this paper, ethnographic research done in Second Life is used to outline (1) how the reality within these virtual worlds is constructed, (2) what role elements of the secondary socialization play in these groups, and (3) the way the stigmatized identity of the neophyte user, the “newbie,” is conceptualized, confronted and addressed by virtual world residents. This research suggests ways of viewing consumer behavior within virtual worlds and further social research directions.

The Metaverse

2014 ◽  
pp. 48-81
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Culture ◽  
Network Learning ◽  
Networked Society

This chapter approaches the rise of Metaverse Technologies in their 3D Digital Virtual Worlds, as a possibility that arises in the context of network learning culture, using the perspective of an emerging paradigm, linked to Teaching and Learning in Networked Society. We will present some of the main existing metaverses and discuss the capabilities and limits of this technology for learning with mobility. We will approach subtopics such as: Metaverse Technology and the nature of 3D Digital Virtual World; Second Life Metaverses; Opensource Metaverses; Metaverses in mobile devices: potentialities for Mobile Learning, as well as a brief conclusion to the chapter.

scholarly journals Building Knowledge in the Virtual World – Influence of Real Life Relationships

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Loureiro ◽  
Teresa Bettencourt
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Strategy ◽  
Real Life ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University

This paper intends to present a preliminary PhD research that is being developed by the authors, with the intention to determine how to improve teaching and learning situations, at the university level, based on experiences in immersive virtual worlds. The authors have realized that, nowadays, courses don’t fulfill our students’ needs. They belong to a networked and multitasking generation, and what they get from today’s teaching strategy does not, in many situations, fulfill students’ needs and perspectives. They need to gather competences in order to become motivated citizens, communicative and knowledge builders. It is our belief that we can take advantage from the immersive virtual worlds’ resources to overcome this situation and therefore to transfer it to real life. In order to achieve this we need, at the first instance, to understand how social interactions occur in these environments (in particular at Second Life®), how they grow and how they are developed. What we present here is a preliminary sample of our intended research.

scholarly journals Lessons learned from the birth and evolution of the EduFinland virtual community for educators

2012 ◽  
pp. 88-96
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Traditional Classrooms ◽  
The World

Educators around the world are experimenting with the possibilities virtual three dimensional worlds have for education and learning how to use these new environments efficiently. Virtual worlds have the potential to bring some new added value to education and educators can use them to create something that is not possible to do or show in traditional classrooms. Although a lot have been learned about virtual worlds and their potential, a lot more has to be learned before virtual worlds can become an integrated part of education on various levels. The article looks back at the birth and growth of the EduFinland community in the virtual world of Second Life and discusses lessons learned so far during the years of its existence.

scholarly journals Can We Move Beyond Visual Metaphors? Virtual World Provocations and Second Life

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela G. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Visual Metaphors

Is it possible for the human beings, who are the driving forces behind virtual worlds and the avatars that inhabit them, to move beyond Real Life metaphors? What does this sort of questioning mean for teaching and learning in virtual worlds?

scholarly journals Virtual Laboratories and Virtual Worlds

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S246) ◽  
pp. 447-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piet Hut
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Virtual Labs ◽  
Virtual Lab ◽  
Virtual Laboratories ◽  
The World ◽  
On Line ◽  
Line Technology

AbstractSince we cannot put stars in a laboratory, astrophysicists had to wait till the invention of computers before becoming laboratory scientists. For half a century now, we have been conducting experiments in our virtual laboratories. However, we ourselves have remained behind the keyboard, with the screen of the monitor separating us from the world we are simulating. Recently, 3D on-line technology, developed first for games but now deployed in virtual worlds like Second Life, is beginning to make it possible for astrophysicists to enter their virtual labs themselves, in virtual form as avatars. This has several advantages, from new possibilities to explore the results of the simulations to a shared presence in a virtual lab with remote collaborators on different continents. I will report my experiences with the use of Qwaq Forums, a virtual world developed by a new company (see http://www.qwaq.com).

scholarly journals Virtual World Interoperability: Let Use Cases Drive Design

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Watte
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Use Cases ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Trade Shows

Virtual worlds are slowly creeping into our daily lives. While some early adopters have been using them for entertainment, research and training over the last 20 years, virtual trade shows and online conferencing with user avatars are putting them front and center on the desktops of workers around the world. However, while a "walled garden" virtual world may be useful in and of itself (just like a cell phone being able to call other cell phone customers using the same carrier), the real usability explosion will come when the different virtual worlds start talking to each other (just like cell phones being able to call any phone number in the world, no matter who the destination carrier or operator is). This article will examine the history of virtual world interoperability as evidenced through early systems like DIS and HLA, current systems such as Second Life / OpenSim teleport and OLIVE simulation interoperability, and will examine some common use cases for the future, interconnected metaverse. Based on this learning, a comprehensive approach to standards-based virtual world interoperability is described, and the article ends with a call for action. The author has a unique depth of perspective on virtual worlds interoperability, having worked with a variety of technologies ranging from military simulation all the way to massively multiplayer online games, having worked for a leading virtual world platform provider since 2001, and having shipped public virtual world interoperability solutions since 2005.

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