The Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre (MacICT) is located at Macquarie University, Sydney Australia. It is a collaborative agreement between the NSW Department of Education Communities (DEC) and Macquarie University which provides the opportunity for NSW DEC schools access to the use of innovative technologies in teaching and learning.

1. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
MacICT 3D Virtual Worlds: WHEN2050
Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
MacICT
NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

2. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
What is a Virtual World?
A virtual world is a 3D computer environment
in which users are represented on screen as
themselves or as made up characters and can
interact in real time with other users. These
representations are called avatars. Students
and teachers learn to design and construct
using an open source software called
OpenSim http://opensimulator.org/
Virtual World Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

3. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
Project Outcomes
The Virtual Worlds Project aims to:
evaluate innovative applications of virtual worlds
In education, focusing on supporting teachers
to develop curriculum centred student design
and construction activities.
Project Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
Outcomes NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

4. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
Project Description
Students in Year 10 explore 3D Virtual Worlds to
design and construct Architectural Prototypes for
Australian cities that incorporate ideas such as
sustainability, function and aesthetics.These
students have explored designs that addresses
perceived needs for the future such as
communication, energy, food, housing, recreation
and transport.
Project Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
Description NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

5. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
Cyber Citizenship
Students follow the rules of STAR and good
cyber citizenship practice in the virtual world.
Cyber Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
Citizenship NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

6. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
Student comments …
“I hope that in the future it (3D Virtual Worlds)
could be a way to learn and an opportunity for
students to associate this way of learning with
the word „education‟.”
“Trinity (3D Virtual Worlds) has changed the way
I design…I will now design with a very open mind.
This project has pushed me to work harder to
develop my concepts and ideas.”
Students Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
Comments NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

7. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
Office of Schools Plan 2009- 2011
CONNECTED LEARNING
State-wide Strategies Northern Sydney Region Strategies
Implement interactive classrooms to • video conferencing.
better meet the learning needs of 21st • collaborative curriculum projects
Century students.
Develop teacher capacity in the use of • Innovative professional learning
information communication technologies. opportunities
• Identifying innovative teaching practice
Extend learning opportunities for • support collaborative curriculum projects using
students and teachers across ICT
communities of schools.
Office of Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
Schools Plan NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

8. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
NSW Institute of Teachers (Accreditation and Standards)
Sample of NSW Institute Elements mapped to MacICT Projects
ELEMENT 4: TEACHERS COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH THEIR STUDENTS
Student Grouping
4.2.4
PROFESSIONAL Design and facilitate a variety of purposeful group
COMPETENCE structures that facilitate student engagement to make
content meaningful.
3D Virtual Worlds Project is now a registered course for NSWDET teachers.
NSWDET teachers who are interested in this course, please contact
Centre Director: Deborah.Evans2@det.nsw.edu.au
NSW Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
Institute NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University
of Teachers

9. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
NSW Quality Teaching framework
The 3D Virtual Worlds Project links to many of the
NSW Quality Teaching framework elements including:
• Higher-order thinking
• Engagement
• Inclusivity
• Connectedness
• Problematic Knowledge
NSW Quality Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
Teaching NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University
framework

10. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
And the final word…from teachers
“The technology provides for the quick activation of
ideas, construction of shapes, use of textures all
within a 3D space. Students are fully engaged in the
whole process of having the power to create major
structures, to move around, in and out, above and
below their building structures. This is total immersion.”
“What could be better than to witness a group of
young people all grow in self-esteem, confidence
and collegiality?” Peter Wootten
Teachers’ Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
Comments NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

11. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
Research
Learning by Designing in Virtual Worlds
(Innovative Research in Virtual Worlds Conference, Coventry University, UK, 3-4 November 2011)
Katy Lumkin Andrew Cram
Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre Department of Education
NSW Department of Education and Communities, Australia Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
Research Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

12. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
Online World at MacICT
3D Virtual Worlds Project Information:
http://web1.macquarieict.schools.nsw.edu.au/index.php/projects/menu3dvirtualworlds.html
3D Virtual Worlds Project Blog:
http://web2.macquarieict.schools.nsw.edu.au/journal/virtual-worlds/
Online World Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
at MacICT NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University

13. Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
Disclaimer
The ideas expressed in this artefact are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect represent the ideas of the NSW Department of
Education and Training.
Printed/Published 2010 Published by Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre
Building C5B Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109 Australia
© Copyright subject to the operation of the Copyright Act 1968, vested in the Crown in the right of the State of New South Wales.
RESTRICTED WAIVER OF COPYRIGHT
The printed material in this publication is subject to a restricted waiver of the copyright to allow photocopying of the material contained in
this publication for use within a school, subject to the conditions set out below.
All copies of the printed material shall be made without alteration and abridgement and must retain acknowledgement of the
copyright.
The school or college shall not sell, hire or otherwise derive revenue from copies of the material, nor distribute copies of the material
for any other purpose.
The restricted waiver of copyright is not transferable and may be withdrawn in the case of breach of any of these conditions.
Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is a collaboration between the
Disclaimer NSW Department of Education and Training and Macquarie University