EDTECH Island Two Years Later: Training Teachers in Virtual Worlds

EDTECH Island Two Years Later Training Teachers in Virtual Worlds Dr. Lisa Dawley Dept. of Educational Technology

edtechisland.wetpaint.com

EDTECH Island Then January 2007

EDTECH Island Now March 2009 • 8 graduate courses, $130K tuition • 7 instructors, multiple GAs • “Construction Junction” workshop • Avg. 450 unique visitors per week • Numerous guest speaker events • “Home” to over 50 international educators • EDTECH Community group over 1,200 members • Sandbox, classrooms, amphitheater, and learning centers open to the public • Professional organizational partnerships

Persistent Social Network Learning 1. Design of the physical space 2. Appropriate and scaffolded use of social network communication mechanisms to support learning, connection, engagement, community 3. Give community members ownership 4. Create partnerships 5. Incorporate elements of game design

What is persistence in virtual worlds? the world continues to change and develop whether or not any particular subscriber is logged into it (Gehorsma, 2003). what remains when the game is turned off and on--buildings, quests, NPCs, etc. (Bartle, 2004). active and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (Wikipedia) Aha! spaces in which the artifacts of others help guide new learners and where users are free to move and interact as they please (Jones & Bronack, 2007)

#1 Physical Design DESIGN TO MEET NEEDS building, living, sharing information, attending events, socializing, experiential learning

Physical Design Use nodes and pathways to promote persistence

Physical Design Aug. 2-9 Aug. 10-17 Data collection: Using Maya Realities, a web-based database, and an event log

Physical design: What we’ve learned Use pathways, nodes, signage Group notices support persistence

Physical design: What we’ve learned Use pathways, nodes, signage Group notices support persistence Offer living spaces to community members Offer free services to the public (sandbox)

Physical design: What we’ve learned Use pathways, nodes, signage Group notices support persistence Offer living spaces to community members Offer free services to the public (sandbox) Know who and when people are participating (time events, keywords)

#2 Social Network Communication Mechanisms

In-world social networks

1,200 Members

Professional Presentations

Hosting formal and informal social events

Teach people how to build

Out-of- world Networks

Examples of Social Network Knowledge Construction • Written reflection…in blogs and wikis “Write a minimum of a 150 word synthesis, discussing connections between theory and practice, the readings and your own teaching context.”

Examples of Social Network Knowledge Construction •Tagging

Examples of Social Network Knowledge Construction • Build an exhibit (inworld mechanism) “Pose and answer a question that you have related to tools and educational resources in Second Life.”

Examples of Social Network Knowledge Construction • Compile and share writings on a listserv “Pose a specific challenge that educators or schools face when teaching in Second Life Using the resources provided above, throughout the course, or those of your own choosing, write a minimum of a 100 word response that provides a solution(s) to the identified challenge.”

Examples of Social Network Knowledge Construction • Participate in in-world presentations

SNKC: Course Evaluations Overall Quality of Instructor = 5.0 (scale of 1-5, n=10) Overall Quality of Course = 5.0 (scale of 1-5, n=10) • What a wonderful course. It was an amazing, life-changing class. • Impressive list of guest speakers. I learned a lot and have gained a lot of confidence, too. • Very useful elements have been the blogging, teaching activities, and social networking in gaining institutional buy-in and 'proving' Second Life is an effective teaching environment. • Although I had spent time in-world before, the guidance I received in this class has introduced me to an educational community at the cutting edge. I signed up for 3 credits and I got far more than I paid for. • Essential course for teaching using MUVES.

Table 1 Matrix for Designing SNKC New to Virtual Some Experience Experienced with Worlds with Virtual Virtual Worlds Social Worlds Social Network Engagement Level Network 1. Identify Provide single entry Introduction to Identification and networks portal to virtual inworld small group inclusion of Knowledge world (through a networks; create a multiple in and out web page or wiki). group for specific of world networks. Construction course members. 2. Lurk Enter, observe, and Begin participation Encourage visitation learn the culture and in inworld small to networks used by norms of the group networks others related to environment, as (attend a building course. Pedagogical well as the tools class, hear a framework provided. lecture); lurk on relevant listservs. 3. Contribute Begin interactions Assist those hosting Require Develops “avatar with others. Help inworld events with contributions to capital” other learners when marketing, traffic multiple social possible. coordination. networks, both inworld and out-of- world. 4. Create Build something Participate in a Design your own inworld…a book, an group build, such as network around a object giver, a an exhibit or build given topic, or build simple car. out a place for out a place for yourself. others. 5. Lead Establish a special Create an inworld Leverage interest group of group on a special partnerships among like-minded peers interest topic. multiple group on relevant topics. members to promote new knowledge development and learning opportunities.

#3 Community Ownership All members can send notices BCreative Wilde, condos on list MissAnnie Giovanni, sound Anyone can reserve teaching garden space on EDTECH Jeremy Braver, games center Anyone can request condo space Leslie Beaumont, island mgmt Island and sandbox open to public Dalai Haskell, skytower & amphitheater

#4 Professional Partnerships AECT in Second Life ARVEL SIG iNACOL ICT Library TeacherStream

#5 Include gaming elements: play

NPCS & Mascots who social network Gadgetz Steampunk “EdtechGadgetz” on Twitter Emilia EdTech NPC Guides

edtechisland.wetpaint.com

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EDTECH Island Two Years Later: Training Teachers in Virtual Worlds

by Lisa Dawley on Mar 29, 2009

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