Welcome to Virtual Worlds - Real Learning!

 

 

New Practices in Flexible Learning 2006

A range of new technologies is playing an increasing role in many learners’ everyday life. Why not try to capitalise on this engagement and use it to enhance the learning experience?

Virtual worlds offer the potential to engage learners at higher levels – which can influence on outlook and behaviour. They have the potential to become a meaningful, highly sophisticated tool for VET teachers.

The New Practices in Flexible Learning 2006 Virtual Worlds – Real Learning! project was designed to capitalise on the willingness of learners to engage with virtual worlds, by using a range of pedagogical activities to move learners from playing to an enhanced learning experience.

 

What you will find here

This resource shows how you can use virtual worlds to achieve competency-based learning outcomes. It can be used as a guide for individuals or as a resource for professional development and training sessions. Use the tabs to explore each section fully.

There are seven sections: Virtual Worlds Discover what they are, compare three different ones, and learn about Second Life® – the virtual world site selected for this project. Educational Significance Find out why virtual worlds have educational potential and the important things to consider when using them in teaching – includes a pedagogical and psychological look at virtual worlds. Project Trials Find out where this project originated and full details of how three teachers used virtual worlds for different learner groups ­– and read excerpts from one teacher’s insightful diary. Facilitation Exemplar Get an extensive overview of what you need to do to use a virtual world in your teaching Technical Considerations Find out what you need to discuss with your IT department in order to use virtual worlds in teaching. Future Directions Explore likely future directions of virtual worlds and how they may help to promote innovation in teaching.

Who is it for?

This resource is for the VET professional who wishes to expand their teaching tool repertoire. It offers models and guidelines for a teacher to incorporate the use of virtual worlds into their teaching practice, thereby providing their learners with a whole new learning experience and, potentially, greater understanding of their subject matter.

You can use the resource to:

• explore how virtual worlds have been used by three different learner groups to achieve competency based learning outcomes

• consider the underlying pedagogical reasons for using virtual worlds

• find examples of how real-life classroom activities can be linked to virtual world activities

• find practical information about the role of the teacher

• find out what aspects are critical for successful educational outcomes

• follow the facilitator’s guide to using virtual worlds in teaching and the necessary preparatory steps

• provide professional development or training sessions.

* Second Life is a registered trademark of Linden Research, Inc.

 

 

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Australian Flexible Learning Framework

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