Frame 1
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Video a computer lab with children.
As educators, we are always looking for ways to bring
technology into the classroom. We ask
ourselves, how can our children get more out of this technology? How can students still be part of a
community while working on individual computers? What skills can we help develop in our
students when they are using technology?
(0:30)
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Frame 2:
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Today we are going to take an adventure to learn how
virtual worlds may help educators to overcome some of the challenges created
by the burgeoning technology of today.
.
What is a virtual world? According to Dass, Dabbagh, and Clark
(2011), “a virtual world is online, persistent, interactive environment by many users
simultaneously” (p. 96)
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Frame3:
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The growth of
Virtual worlds: The continuing growth of processing power
of PCs, increased bandwidth in residential communication, widespread use of
internet has allowed virtual worlds to move from the “trough of
dislliusinoment” to the “slope of enlightenment” (Wasko et. al, 2011, p. 645)
(Marcelino et. al, 2013). This growth
in technology has permitted people from all over the world to come together
and collaborate (2013)
(0:30)
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Frame 4: Video different classrooms settings
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As educators, we
know the traditional classroom setting has many benefits. Teachers can give direct instruction to
every student. Teachers can have
groups of students work together on problems.
Teachers can give individualized attention to students when
needed. Even with all we do as
teachers, it may not be enough to prepare our students for an unpredictable and
uncertain future (McGuigan et. al, 2012).
Virtual worlds
may provide a component to education that would help teachers narrow the gap
between the school setting and the real world.
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Frame 5:
Kolb
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The instructional
approach best related to virtual worlds is constructivism (Dass et. al, 2011).
Constructivism
theorists believe that learning is an active process where the learner
constructs knowledge rather than acquiring it (2011). The works of many of these theorists believe
that reflection is an important part of the learning process (Dickey,
2011).
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Frame 6: Pictures of virtual world; clip of
someone using a virtual world
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Virtual worlds
can provide a “safe” place for students to take risks. There are no material costs. Time does not become a problem (Dass et.
al, 2011).
Learners in
virtual worlds are not passive but are very active participates (Uzun &
Aydin, 2012). The avatar in the
environment allows students to have “sense of presence and awareness of
others, the ability to communicate and collaborate” (Dass et. al, 2011).
Not only can
students enter an already created world, but they also can create.
Virtual worlds can provide a “richer, more immersive experience”
(Wasko et al., 2011, p. 648). Many
users have stated that they lose track of time because of being so focused on
the task at hand (2011).
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Frame: 7
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We are entering into an age where generations of people will have
grown up never knowing a life without a computer, the internet, a mobile
phone, or virtual worlds (Wasko et. al, 2011). As educators, we need new methods that will
reach them (Marcelion et. al, 2013). Ask
yourself, can virtual worlds help you create a learning environment that will
prepare our students for their future?
In association with Sigve Virtual Environments, we welcome Scott
Merrick.
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Frame: 8 Resources
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Saturday, April 13, 2013
Updated Storyboard for video assignment
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