Instructional Technology
Conference 2007

Title: A Brave New World: Engaging Students in Virtual Environments

Name: Bryan M. Booth, James Dye

Audience Level: all

Audience: general

Length: 1 hour

Abstract:
The rapid growth and development of online virtual environments have added entirely new types
of interaction in today’s technological world. Many educational institutions have already begun to
capitalize on these new worlds as a domain for improved teacher-student and student group
communications. How will the continued development of virtual environments affect online education?
What new and exciting opportunities are now available for educators as this technology develops? This
session will address these questions.

Description:
One of the common effects of pursuing education in an online environment is a feeling of
disconnectedness from many of the traditional situations and relationships in a college or university setting.
With the developments of virtual environments like Second Life, Croquet, and There.com, educators now
have the opportunity to create virtual spaces that closely resemble real-life campus classrooms and exhibit
halls. Virtual environments add a deeper level of collaboration and communication by incorporating not
only the traditional ideas, concepts, and strategies of online education, but also the spaces in which this
education can occur. These new environments utilize ordinary learning objects from simple text files to
audio files to streaming video; yet in the virtual world, these ideas are dramatically reinforced with a sense
of place that does not exist in the present manifestation of online education. Also, the use of simulations
and role-playing – both increasingly popular educational methods – is greatly enhanced when the resources
of a virtual environment ably reinforce the teaching strategies currently employed in distance education. By
adding this tool set to the established methodologies of online education, educators can greatly enhance
both the quality and the character of their online instruction.
Additionally, online environments present students with the opportunity to interact with
classmates and peers in a way currently unavailable to online students. Beyond the traditional class emails,
discussion boards, or the occasional chat session, virtual worlds give students the chance to create
an online persona as real (if not arguably more real) as the one they carry into class. These student avatars
can then interact through conversation and shared entertainment in much the same way that they would in
an on-campus environment.
With the increasingly rapid development of online tools and technologies, the incorporation of
online environments into the standard set of educational tools is a necessity. These worlds present
limitless opportunity for growth and communication, collaboration and learning. It is with this in mind
that educators should begin to study and capitalize upon the growing wealth of resources available in these
virtual worlds.

Session Type: Lecture/Presentation

Contact information/affiliation:
Bryan M. Booth, Assistant Coordinator of Operations,
Regents Online Campus Collaborative,
TBR

James Dye, Assistant Coordinator of Technical Services,
Regents Online Campus Collaborative,
TBR

Equipment:
projector (w/screen), broadband internet connection (preferably 2 ethernet
connections; however, wireless access may be sufficient)