Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Global Learn 2012: Global Conference on Learning and Technology virtual presentation. International Baccalaureate Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) course taught using 3D virtual worlds.

1. David W. Deeds
Technology Integration Coordinator
Colegios Peterson, Mexico City
Global Learn 2012

2. Background
 International Baccalaureate (IB): nonprofit
educational foundation, helps students to
develop skills (intellectual, social, emotional,
personal) needed to live/work in a “rapidly
globalizing world”
 Diploma Program (DP): IB high school,
prepares students for 21st century: inter-
connectedness, international-mindedness,
critical thinking

3. Background (cont.)
 Information Technology in a Global Society
(ITGS): “…the study and evaluation of the
impacts of Information Technology (IT) on
individuals and society…[i]t explores the
advantages and disadvantages of the access
and use of digitized information at the local
and global level”
- IB ITGS Handbook

4. Background (cont.)
 Virtual world: computer-based interactive 3D
simulation, in which users take the form of
avatars visible to others graphically
 Second Life – commercial 3D virtual world with
millions of users, hundreds of educational
organizations “inworld”
 OpenSimulator – “open source” version of
Second Life, used for students 3-15 (Second
Life only for learners 16 and older)

5. Better Traditional Academic Results:
“The early evidence, both rigorous and
anecdotal, seems to strongly suggest that
highly interactive virtual learning is a
permanent transformation of the educational
landscape…[t]his is due in part to interactive
environments’ ability to produce better
traditional academic results.”
- Clark Aldrich

6. ITGS Versus Computer Science:
 ITGS – main focus is people, systems thinking,
using existing software (and hardware), social
context is vital, global reach
 Computer Science – main focus is
hardware/software, algorithmic thinking,
creation of new software, business context is
vital, usually limited audience

7. ITGS Three Strands:
1. Social and Ethical Significance: intellectual
property, the digital divide, globalization and
cultural diversity, etc.
2. Application to Specified Scenarios: business
and employment, education and training,
home and leisure, etc.
3. IT Systems: hardware/software, digital
multimedia, project management, etc.

8. ITGS Three Strands (cont.):
Strands are to be taught in an integrated way,
with the focus on stakeholders (individuals or
groups affected by IT developments and/or
proposed solutions).
Strands can be taught in any order. A project
might be started via an issue, or a particular
objective, or the IT systems involved.

9. ITGS International Dimension:
 Embodies global and international awareness
 Emphasizes global reach (and effects) of
technological advancements
 Explores advantages and disadvantages of
technology at local and international levels
 Seeks to develop international connections
and cooperation, concept of “global village”

10. IB Learner Profile Qualities:
 Inquirers/Thinkers
 Knowledgeable
 Communicators
 Principled
 Open-minded
 Caring
 Risk-takers
 Balanced/Reflective

11. Traditionally Taught?
 Textbooks such as: “Discovering Computers”
for hardware/software, “Gift of Fire” for
social/ethical considerations (now: ITGS
textbook)
 Online components such as: nings, wikis,
blogs, websites in general (2D, not 3D!)
 Generally, still typical classroom instruction

12. Now: 3D ITGS!

13. Now: 3D ITGS! (cont.)

14. Now: 3D ITGS! (cont.)
 Students maintain cybercampus in Second
Life, put on art/music/other shows
 Enables students (and teachers) to connect,
communicate and collaborate with others all
over the (real) world
 Learners actually are members of a global
society (versus just reading about it!)
 Products/services can help local and global
students and teachers

15. Strand-Specific:
 Social and Ethical Significance: Students are
part of a million-user online community,
joining hundreds of other schools
 Application to Specified Scenarios: Students
will run actual businesses in online economy,
create/maintain intellectual property, etc.
 IT Systems: Students must master Computer
Aided Design, graphics/photography, project
management, programming, etc.

16. Strand-Specific (cont.)
 Social and Ethical Significance: Students will
interact with other schools, ideally helping to
bridge the digital divide
 Application to Specified Scenarios: Student
products/services will benefit others, will
enable cross-curricular instruction locally
 IT Systems: Instruction is student-centric, so
students design and manage own projects,
learning hardware/software in the process

17. Integration/Dimension-Specific:
 Enables integration of the three strands in
ways never possible before (direct relation-
ships between technology, applications and
social/ethical implications)
 Literally (virtually) creates an interconnected
“global village” via which students can not
just study but impact fellow digital citizens
around the (real) world

18. Profile-Specific:
All qualities covered, particularly:
 Inquirers/Thinkers: Students are in charge of
their investigations/research
 Communicators: Students will meet and train
others to use 3D virtual worlds
 Risk-Takers: Students know about 3D games,
but have never done anything like this before!
 Principled: Students must develop and
practice digital citizenship skills

19. Summary:
 Peterson’s 3D ITGS surpasses all IB require-
ments: strands, profiles, dimensions, etc.
 Our 3D ITGS will revolutionize the way not just
this course is taught, but all IB classes
 Art and Music already involved, soon Science,
Math and other subjects (locally/globally)
 Ideal: 3D community of international schools,
sharing sims/regions/campuses (contact me if
you’re interested in participating)

20. Thank you! Questions/Comments:
David W. Deeds
Technology Integration Coordinator
Colegios Peterson/Peterson Schools
E-Mail: ddeeds@peterson.edu.mx
Skype: davidwdeeds, Twitter: dwdeeds
Scoop.it: http://www.scoop.it/t/3d-virtual-worlds-
educational-technology
Second Life: Deed Davids, visit Teaching 6, SLURL:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Teaching%206/180/132/23