Transforming Virtual World Learning (Cutting-Edge Technologies in Higher Education) [Paperback]

Randy Hinrichs (Author, Editor), Charles Wankel (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2011 | ISBN-10: 1780520522 | ISBN-13: 978-1780520520

This book is a practical guide on how to transform your ideas from virtual world course ware to virtual world learning experiences. The book argues that setting up learning in 3D virtual worlds requires a transformative approach. The advice given in this book comes from real world implementers of virtual world learning. The models presented here show how to transform your thinking in 3D spaces and achieving your organizational learning goals while motivating your learners. The practical articles and lesson plans come from those pioneers who have used virtual worlds to learn, teach and support their learners with in-world presence. Transforming starts with recognizing virtual worlds as a place, and then using the space to plan in 3D, design real-time and implement a "virtual biodome effect" for continuous learning. It is our hope the book inspires current educational institutions to think about creating persistent, scalable communities that thrive on communication, global collaboration and sustainable interactivity. The results are the same for K-12, community college, university, industry and lifelong learners. It's not just about being in a virtual world, it's about doing something engaging there to educate and entertain the work force of the interconnected internet.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The readership for this collection of essays includes K-12, community college, university, and adult education teachers. The book's international contributors in educational technology, psychology, and instructional design offer insight on the latest techniques for planning, designing, and using virtual worlds in education. The first section covers the planning process from the perspective of the instructor and examines aspects such as pedagogy, faculty development, and pre-service teachers' teaching practice in Second Life. The second section explores virtual world design as a participatory process among students and teachers. One chapter in this section focuses on using the community of inquiry (COI) model and Bloom's revised taxonomy to support 21st century teaching with multi-user virtual environments. A section on virtual world deployment examines three components that need to be measured for determining the impact of virtual worlds: intercultural collaborative learning, narrative continuity, and learning outcomes. Hinrichs, an Internet media consultant, serves on the faculty of the University of Washington's iSchool. Wankel teaches management at St. John's University, New York. --Book News Inc. Portland, OR

About the Author

Editors:
Randy Hinrichs - University of Washington, USA
Charles Wankel - St. John's University, NY, USA

Product Details

• Paperback: 371 pages
• Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited (October 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1780520522
• ISBN-13: 978-1780520520
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,332,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)