HARNESSING THE POWER of VIRTUAL WORLDS for LEARNING

Kristen Cromer Dir. Of Design, Tandem Learning Past lives: CBT developer, ID, UX Designer, IA, PM Currently: Leading efforts with Tandem clients to incorporate VW, social media, new technologies to address learning needs

Past lives:

CBT developer, ID, UX Designer, IA, PM

Currently:

Leading efforts with Tandem clients to incorporate VW, social media, new technologies to address learning needs

Koreen Olbrish CEO, Tandem Learning Past lives: Teacher, ID, PM, Account Manager Currently: Leading the Tandem team in developing strategic relationships with clients and leaders in learning, immersive learning and virtual worlds

Past lives:

Teacher, ID, PM, Account Manager

Currently:

Leading the Tandem team in developing strategic relationships with clients and leaders in learning, immersive learning and virtual worlds

Common Questions What is a Virtual World? How can VWs be used for learning? What are the benefits of using VWs for learning? How can I use VWs to address my organization’s learning goals?

What is a Virtual World?

How can VWs be used for learning?

What are the benefits of using VWs for learning?

How can I use VWs to address my organization’s learning goals?

What is a Virtual World? Common elements: Immersive environment with series of locations Avatars Interaction/communication with other players Interaction/communication with NPCs Interaction with other world components

Common elements:

Immersive environment with series of locations

Avatars

Interaction/communication with other players

Interaction/communication with NPCs

Interaction with other world components

What is a Virtual World? Some VWs also have: Gaming components Economy User-generated content Social media tools Collaboration tools

Some VWs also have:

Gaming components

Economy

User-generated content

Social media tools

Collaboration tools

Show Me Second Life (Linden Labs) ProtoSphere (ProtonMedia) VENUEGEN (The Venue Network) Virtual Territory (Tandem Learning)

Second Life (Linden Labs)

ProtoSphere (ProtonMedia)

VENUEGEN (The Venue Network)

Virtual Territory (Tandem Learning)

Challenges We’ve Heard Too game-like Too expensive Too hard to use Can it connect with my LMS

Too game-like

Too expensive

Too hard to use

Can it connect with my LMS

When are VWs Appropriate? When: Experience and practice within context is important Higher order skills Social learning Geography

When:

Experience and practice within context is important

Higher order skills

Social learning

Geography

VWs for Learning Examples Role play Scenarios Preceptorships Coaching Virtual hands-on experience Meetings/presentations

Role play

Scenarios

Preceptorships

Coaching

Virtual hands-on experience

Meetings/presentations

Benefits of VWs for Learning Geography Economics Experience Engaging Social learning Reusability

Geography

Economics

Experience

Engaging

Social learning

Reusability

How do I get started? AS ALWAYS, technology should not drive solution Determine learning need first User analysis Determine how to mold a virtual world to suit your needs

AS ALWAYS, technology should not drive solution

Determine learning need first

User analysis

Determine how to mold a virtual world to suit your needs

Questions ?

Contact Info Kristen [email_address] Twitter: KristenCromer Koreen [email_address] Twitter: KoreenOlbrish

Kristen

[email_address]

Twitter: KristenCromer

Koreen

[email_address]

Twitter: KoreenOlbrish