'A virtual world environment for group work'

Hi All,

Here is a little summary of this journal article that I read & it might be relevant for us to reflect on our own trial teaching session :)

This article suggests that students can practice and rehearse their skills based on their academic knowledge through interactions within a realistic environment like Second Life (SL). The core learning outcomes encouraged in this research are: 1) students interact effectively with others; 2) students maintain cooperative working relationships; 3) students play a useful role in group and team activities; 4) students feel confident in a group setting; and 5) students take a leadership role when asked to do so. Results showed that the learning objectives were achieved in a group work environment in SL and unanticipated behaviour of the students was also found in this study. The students’ ability to interact in the virtual world complemented and enhanced real-world communication. They were interacting seamlessly between the real and the virtual worlds when performing the more complex building tasks. The students’ discussions and communications were carried out naturally in the classroom, but their demonstrations, knowledge discovery and sharing were done in the virtual world.

Reference

Brown, E., Hobbs, M., & Gordon, M. (2008). A virtual world environment for group work. International Journal of Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies 3(1), 1-12. Retrieved from AUT University Library database.