Affordances and Constraints of Scaffolded Learning in a Virtual World for Young Children

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca W. Black ◽  
Stephanie M. Reich
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Sociocultural Context ◽  
Support Structures ◽  
Scaffolded Learning

In recent years there has been a marked increase in the number of virtual worlds aimed at populations between the ages of 6 to14 years. This article examines the content and design of one such site, Webkinz World, as a sociocultural context for informal learning. Focusing on the design and activities of this site sheds light on the ways in which Webkinz World supports learning, especially for nascent users, and the apparent limits of these support structures as users gain more expertise.

Affordances and Constraints of Scaffolded Learning in a Virtual World for Young Children

2013 ◽  
pp. 61-73
Author(s):  
Rebecca W. Black ◽  
Stephanie M. Reich
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Sociocultural Context ◽  
Support Structures ◽  
Scaffolded Learning

In recent years there has been a marked increase in the number of virtual worlds aimed at populations between the ages of 6 to14 years. This article examines the content and design of one such site, Webkinz World, as a sociocultural context for informal learning. Focusing on the design and activities of this site sheds light on the ways in which Webkinz World supports learning, especially for nascent users, and the apparent limits of these support structures as users gain more expertise.

scholarly journals A virtual environment study in entrepreneurship education of young children

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M Pereira ◽  
Paulo Martins ◽  
Leonel Morgado ◽  
Benjamim Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Software System ◽  
Environment Study

In this article, we present an exploratory study on the use of 3-D virtual worlds in entrepreneurship education for children of primary school in a virtual world from the Activeworlds Educational Universe: “Entrepreneurship in Basic Education – 1st cycle.” This study allowed us to identify a set of technological problems in the use of these environments for teaching entrepreneurship to children. It allowed us to define a range of requirements that must be fulfilled in order to provide a software system that supports these activities in virtual worlds.

scholarly journals Children’s Virtual Worlds and Friendships during the covid-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Gloria Quinones ◽  
Megan Adams
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Social Situation ◽  
Imaginary World ◽  
Historical Approach ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Opportunities For Learning

From March 2020 in Australia, the covid-19 pandemic resulted in regulations for social distancing, which meant that students were homeschooled. Social distancing exponentially increased the exposure of most young children to digital technology such as touchscreens (iPads) and digital flip cameras. This study focuses on two seven-year-old children who maintain their friendship during covid-19 by imaginary performances and playing virtual games. A cultural–historical approach is used in the study to analyze the children’s experience as they connect through virtual worlds and build imaginary spaces, contributing to sustaining their relationship during challenging times. Findings indicate that the children built a collective social situation of development integrating sophisticated imaginary, real and virtual worlds. The children’s perspective – their motive orientations and intentions towards a new social situation provided new opportunities for learning in a virtual imaginary world. The combination of a real, an imaginary and a virtual world supported the children to experience a range of emotions including joyous moments, empathy and attunement as they encouraged each other to participate.

Penguins, Hype, and MMOGs for Kids: A Critical Reexamination of the 2008 “Boom” in Children’s Virtual Worlds Development

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 624-644
Author(s):  
Sara M. Grimes
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Online Gaming ◽  
Digital Culture ◽  
Online Game ◽  
Gaming Culture ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Multiplayer Online Game ◽  
Significant Patterns

According to various media and academic sources, the virtual worlds landscape underwent a profound transformation in 2008, with the arrival of numerous new titles designed and targeted specifically to young children. Although a growing body of research has explored some of the titles involved in this shift, little remains known of its overall scope and contents. This article provides a mapping of the initial “boom” in children’s virtual worlds development and identifies a number of significant patterns within the ensuing children’s virtual worlds landscape. The argument is made that while the reported boom in children’s virtual worlds has been exaggerated, a number of important shifts for online gaming culture did unfold during this period, some of which challenge accepted definitions of “virtual world” and “multiplayer online game.” The implications of these findings are discussed in light of contemporary developments and trends within children’s digital culture and within online gaming more broadly.

Facilitating Student Learning in Accounting through Scaffolded Assessment

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Abraham ◽  
Hazel Jones
Keyword(s):  
Formative Assessment ◽  
Real World ◽  
Authentic Learning ◽  
Learning Design ◽  
Sociocultural Context ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
Technological Tools ◽  
Authentic Learning Experiences ◽  
Scaffolded Learning

ABSTRACT With the emergence of new sets of technological tools, university students are now offered more authentic learning experiences involving real-world, complex problems and their solutions. This focus on problem-based activities and case studies has produced a learning environment that is inherently multidisciplinary. This paper reports on the development of a scaffolded learning assignment with blended components applied in an accounting subject that was taught in a cross-disciplinary setting. The assignment was developed in a sociocultural context, based on a Vygotskian approach, and this paper details its design and development. The five stages of the assignment were carefully scaffolded and included elements of individual and group tasks, finishing with an individual reflection on the process. Formative assessment and associated feedback are important elements of the scaffolding and thus the paper reports both the design and implementation of the assignment, and provides qualitative feedback from students regarding how completing the assignment enhanced their learning in accounting. The paper concludes with suggestions for further applications for the learning design of the assignment.

Facilitating 3D Virtual World Learning Environments Creation by Non-Technical End Users through Template-Based Virtual World Instantiation

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Liu ◽  
Ying Zhong ◽  
Sertac Ozercan ◽  
Qing Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
End Users ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
3D Design ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Functional Learning ◽  
Preliminary Experimental Data

This paper presents a template-based solution to overcome technical barriers non-technical computer end users face when developing functional learning environments in three-dimensional virtual worlds (3DVW). iVirtualWorld, a prototype of a platform-independent 3DVW creation tool that implements the proposed solution, facilitates 3DVW learning environment creation through semantics-based abstract 3DVW representation and template-based 3DVW instantiation. iVirtualWorld provides a wizard to guide the 3DVW creation process, and hide low-level programming and 3D design details through higher-level abstracts supported by pre-defined templates. Preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of iVirtualWorld showed positive results. The contribution of this study is threefold: 1) It provides a paradigm for investigating and developing 3DVW building tools from end users’ perspective; 2) It develops a prototype of a 3DVW building tool, which gives educators a framework to easily create educational virtual worlds using domain-specific concepts; 3) It conducts empirical research and collected preliminary experimental data for evaluation.

Virtual Reality (VR) in Pediatrics: Innovative Perspectives With Special Reference To Clinical Applications and Pediatric Rehabilitation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Bittmann
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Data Glove ◽  
Input Devices ◽  
Head Mounted Displays

Virtual reality (VR) is the term used to describe representation and perception in a computer-generated, virtual environment. The term was coined by author Damien Broderick in his 1982 novel “The Judas Mandala". The term "Mixed Reality" describes the mixing of virtual reality with pure reality. The term "hyper-reality" is also used. Immersion plays a major role here. Immersion describes the embedding of the user in the virtual world. A virtual world is considered plausible if the interaction is logical in itself. This interactivity creates the illusion that what seems to be happening is actually happening. A common problem with VR is "motion sickness." To create a sense of immersion, special output devices are needed to display virtual worlds. Here, "head-mounted displays", CAVE and shutter glasses are mainly used. Input devices are needed for interaction: 3D mouse, data glove, flystick as well as the omnidirectional treadmill, with which walking in virtual space is controlled by real walking movements, play a role here.

scholarly journals Development of an online learning environment for geography and geology using Minecraft

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Junko Iwahashi ◽  
Yoshiharu Nishioka ◽  
Daisaku Kawabata ◽  
Akinobu Ando ◽  
Hiroshi Une
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Junior High ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Real Field ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Understanding Of Science

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The purpose of this research is to give children a geographical viewpoint, and to encourage an interest in, and awareness of, landforms and geology. We created a system based on an exploration type computer game and verified the educational effects. Moreover, we aim to reach not only the virtual aspect but we also have a goal of creating interest in the actual field. As a secondary effect, by using a computer game that attracts children’s interest, we aim to make the experience of solving issues subjective and active even if the player is a passive child, a child with little inquiry, or a child who is not adept at self-assertion. With this new approach, we also hope to interact with young generations who usually do not interact with researchers.</p><p>Many thematic maps of geography and geology are already published on the Web. They are popular among those who need to collect and view the information for some reason or with those who are interested in observing topographic maps and are interested in geology. However, in particular, the approach to children who do not have such motivation needs one more step: a mechanism to induce an inquiring mind, and a mechanism that leads to finding the information and having interest in the real field.</p><p>The platform of this research is Minecraft Education Edition (Mojang/Microsoft). Minecraft is very popular game software which has exceeded one hundred million users worldwide in recent years, and in Japan there are many elementary and junior high school student enthusiasts of Minecraft. In the game a user explores a virtual world made of cubic blocks. The blocks imitate vegetation, rock formations, and other items, and can create various puzzles. In recent years, the release of the Education Edition assumes use in classrooms.</p><p>In this research, we have constructed a virtual world tailored to a specific junior high school which teaches science classes to first grade students. First, we re-created the actual school buildings and also included the underground geologic strata based on data from boring. In addition, we created a mechanism to expand children’s imagination and knowledge about past environments which can be understood from the geological strata. We also provided checkpoints and gave challenges regarding knowledge about the formation of the land. Together with this modern world, we created ancient virtual worlds so users may understand the geological history around the school’s location.</p><p>Through the experience of this research, we were able to confirm the mechanisms for promoting motivation in children and aiding their understanding of science. It can be applied to systems other than Minecraft, and it can contribute to educational support in a wide variety of fields.</p>

scholarly journals Virtual Worlds Round Table

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Yee ◽  
Liz Losh ◽  
Sarah Robbins-Bell
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Round Table ◽  
State University ◽  
Online Journal ◽  
Ball State University

By being an online journal, the JVWR allows for the inclusion of some pieces that might not otherwise fit a standard journal. This was the thought behind bringing together a group of virtual world scholars to discuss a series of questions and share their thoughts. Meeting in Second Life, Nick Yee (PARC), Liz Losh (UC Irvine), and Sarah Robbins-Bell (Ball State University) were gracious enough to share their thoughts on the study of virtual worlds culture.

scholarly journals Shakespeare in Digital Games and Virtual Worlds

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (33) ◽  
pp. 129-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Timplalexi
Keyword(s):  
Visual Arts ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Digital Gaming ◽  
Digital Performance ◽  
History Of ◽  
Immense Potential ◽  
First Time

Shakespeare’s plays have long flirted with using various artistic and medial forms other than theatre, such as cinema, music, visual arts, television, comics, animation and, lately, digital games and virtual worlds. Especially in the 20th and 21st century, a fascination with Shakespeare both as a historical and theatrical figure and as a playwright has become evident in screen based media (cinema, television and video), ranging from “faithful,” almost documented performances of his plays to free style adaptations or vague film references. Digital games and virtual worlds carry on this tradition of the transmedial journey of Shakespeare’s plays to screen based media but top it up with new forms of interaction and performativity. For the first time in the history of mankind everyone can enjoy firsthand from his armchair and for free the experience of taking part in a play by the Bard by entering a virtual world as if it was a stage and by assuming roles through avatars. The article attempts first to introduce the reader to the deeper needs that gave rise to animation, a fundamental aspect of digital gaming and virtual worlds. It then tries to illuminate the various facets of digital performance and gaming, especially in relation to Shakespeare-themed and inspired digital games and virtual worlds, by putting forward some axes of classification. Finally, it both suggests some ideas that may be of use in rendering the Shakespeare gaming experience more “complete” and “theatrical” and ends by acknowledging the immense potential for the exploration of theatricality and performativity in digital games and virtual worlds.

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