This document discusses using virtual worlds for education. It describes a virtual learning path used to teach European Literary History compared to traditional textbook reading. Students in two Finnish high schools could choose either option. Exam results showed students who took the virtual path performed better and remembered the material longer. The document also demonstrates collaborative learning techniques like using colored hats in the virtual world to apply the jigsaw method. Teachers found these virtual world activities worked as well or better than traditional classroom methods.

1. Learning
by
doing
and
by
experience
in
a
virtual
world
Demo
session
by
Esko
Lius
1. Virtual learning path
2. Collaborative learning

2. Virtual
learning
path
vs.
Textbook
reading
European Literary History
virtual pathway
Compared learning in
two secondary high schools
Students could choose:
• virtual pathway
• ordinary textbook

3. Virtual
learning
path
vs.
Textbook
reading
Medieval epoch built as a tavern.

4. Blending
classroom,
the
web
&
VW
Enlightenment
built as a Crusoe island.

5. Blending
classroom,
the
web
&
VW
io n
hin g sess
Conta ct teac owledge W
ng
anderi pathway
n
sic SL k ments and al
e vir tu or in pairs
• ba assign th d/
p, uts one an
• ma ide as printo al
SL-gu
ed
yw eb-bas ackchannel
O rdinar latfor m b pensat
ed
p m
le ar ning m ents co ore
l assign orious ch
Vir tua tain lab
er
for a c

9. Learning
outcome
Exam
results,
two
secondary
high
schools
in
Finland,
term
2010
SL
Tb
SL
Tb
course
final
exam
5
weeks
later

10. Learning
outcome
Exam
results,
two
secondary
high
schools
in
Finland,
term
2010
SL
Tb
SL
Tb
course
final
exam
5
weeks
later

11. Learning
outcome
Exam
results,
two
secondary
high
schools
in
Finland,
term
2010
SL
Tb
SL
Tb
course
final
exam
5
weeks
later
bered
ot to kno
w the e nts remem
cher g ”The stud well
”The tea levels ng matter
in many the learni
students ld.” er a long t
ime.”
e vi rtual wor - even aft
here in th
Literature teacher Heidi Heikkilä, Vantaa, Finland

12. CollaboraBve
learning:
Colour-­‐changing
hats

13. ApplicaBon
of
the
jigsaw
learning
method
(iniFally
E.
Aronson
1971)

14. 1.
hometeams
2.
specialist
teams
3.
hometeams
Avatars
form
Avatars
form
groups
Avatars
return
to
a
home
group
for
tackling
a
part
of
home
group
and
the
learning
task
share
knowledge

15. CollaboraBve
learning
works
io n
l applicat train first
”T his virtua d ”It was wise
to
of jigsaw metho easy text.
, with an
wo rld great
w orked in as we manag
e
at leas t as well Now as
an
classroo
m.
the me thod, we c
al
in the re study subjec
t.”
e rpad &c. enter real
Embed ding Eth
”
was a bonus.
Applied Uni teachers
in further training
in Second Life

16. Thank
you!
Esko
Lius
-­‐
iSL
Esko
Levee
esko.lius@omnia.fi
Presentation online:
tiny.cc/iED-LIUS
Thinking hats freely available iSL!