Presentation for A Professional Distance Education Conference
Created By Tawana Stiff
EDUC 7102-3
Instructor: Dr. Amar Almasude
In this presentation, we will address the
following…
 What virtual worlds are, how they work, and the
origin
 Common uses and authentic applications for
virtual worlds
 Components of virtual worlds that can be utilized
in conjunction with today’s best educational
practices
 The impact that educational technology has on
virtual worlds and vice versa
 The benefits versus barriers of virtual worlds
What is a virtual world?
How does a virtual world work?
How did virtual worlds come to fruition?
A world at your
fingertips…
Personalized Avatars
complete tasks for
rewards
Cinematographers sought to
stimulate the senses and
make people experience
different places without
leaving the room
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_world#History
I can reach
my reward
if I keep
trying
Virtual Worlds inspire students to tackle
educational endeavors to earn rewards.
Virtual Tours/
Fieldtrips
Role-Play, Fantasy
Play, SocioDramatic Play
Multi-Player or
Single-Player
Gaming,
Entertainment
Professional
Development,
Subject-Based
Activities
Education
•International Conferences
•Online Training/Tutorials
•Cooperative Environments
•Gaming
•Authentic Problem Solving


Club Penguin enables
users to customize
clothing and emoticons
to construct and express
identity (via avatar)
within a social system,
use environmental hints
and resources to access
information that will aid
in the completion of
quest.
Press Play to view this
popular virtual world for
kids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etopyo5nFts&feature=related


-Second Life enables users
to attend virtual
conferences and interact
with attendees in other
parts of the world.
Individuals who attend
these virtual conferences
can then serve as conduits
to the rest of their
colleagues who were not in
attendance. Real life
networking and alliances
can be forged through
these online interactions.
Press Play to view this
virtual conference
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELysOAj89EU&feature=fvwrel

Educational
Technology
Virtual Worlds
Advantages
- Addresses diverse
motivational needs
- Incentive Based Experiences
- Social Networking provides
a sense of belonging
- Authentic Learning
Experiences
- Interactive learning
- Dynamic experiences allow
learners to construct
knowledge
- Allows parental/teacher
monitoring
Disadvantages
- Unclear findings regarding
the adverse effects of
undesired outcomes
- Limited accessibility due to
technology requirements
- Web-based programs are
not always operated with
fidelity
- Susceptible to security
breach or exploitation in
unsecured sites (e.g.,
computer viruses)

How do you convince students to persevere if
they keep running into a brick wall?
Success is
on the other
side…I
think???