Student Constructed Sustainable Learning Spaces in 3D Multi-User Virtual Environments.

1. Sustainable 3D Virtual Worlds Learning Spaces MacICT

2. What is a Virtual World? A virtual world is a 3D computer environment in which users are represented on screen as themselves or as made up characters and can interact in real time with other users. These representations are called avatars. Students and teachers learn to design and construct using an open source software called OpenSimhttp://opensimulator.org/ Virtual World

3. Project Outcomes The Virtual Worlds Project aims to: evaluate innovative educational applications of virtual world technologies, focusing specifically on activities that involve student construction within a safe environment. Project Outcomes

5. Cyber Citizenship Students follow the rules of STAR and good cyber citizenship practice in the virtual world. Cyber Citizenship

6. Student comments … “Yes, it is a good way to learn because it helps us use our imaginations and think what would work and what wouldn’t, so it is another form of problem solving.” Year 6 student “I think using virtual world was an amazing learning experience. It should definitely be in the school curriculum so other students could experience the joy we have whilst in world.” Year 7 student StudentsComments

10. NSW Institute of Teachers(Accreditation and Standards) Sample of NSW Institute Elements mapped to MacICT Projects ELEMENT 4: TEACHERS COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH THEIR STUDENTS Student Grouping 4.2.4 Design and facilitate a variety of purposeful group structures that facilitate student engagement to make content meaningful. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE 3D Virtual Worlds Project is now a registered course for NSWDET teachers. NSWDET teachers who are interested in this course, please contact Program Manager: karen.blackwell@det.nsw.edu.au NSW Institute of Teachers

12. Engagement

13. Inclusivity

14. Connectedness

15. Problematic KnowledgeNSW Quality Teaching framework

16. And the final word…from teachers “This is especially beneficial for students who have strong imaginations or excel in conceptual thinking but are restricted in their skills in realising their ideas on paper.”Teacher: Peter W. “My students discovered a new dimension for exploring creativity and problem solving; that in doing this they were not restricted by size or scale; they could test their ideas quickly and make required modifications.” Teacher: Peter W. Dulwich HSVAD "The students are totally switched on which is almost unheard of in a typical classroom! They have picked up the technology quickly and have no trouble jumping in and taking risks." Teacher: Lisa A. Dulwich HSVAD Teachers’Comments

17. And the final word… from teachers "I think in the real world, there's often limitations on students' ability to problem solve. They are more overwhelmed by what is not possible but when you open up to this virtual world then actually anything becomes possible. Then you can model it and problem solve it figure out that you can use space in a very dynamic way." Coordinator of Formal and Informal Learning, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney: Adele Maskiell The capacity to design and manipulate prims within the virtual world has led to designs that are extraordinary. I doubt whether we would have been able to achieve the depth of creativity in the regular classroom. Jane H. Sylvania HS Teachers’Comments

18. Research Design and Construction in Virtual Environments for Real-World Learning John Hedberg and Andrew Cram Macquarie University, NSW, Australia Katy Lumkin and Janette Eade Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre NSW Department of Education and Training, Australia Using LAMS to structure and support learning activities in virtual worlds (2010 LAMS Conference, Macquarie University) Andrew Cram Department of Education Macquarie University, NSW, Australia Katy Lumkin and Janette Eade Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre NSW Department of Education and Training, Australia Research

19. Online World at MacICT 3D Virtual Worlds Project Information: http://web1.macquarieict.schools.nsw.edu.au/index.php/projects/menu3dvirtualworlds.html 3D Virtual Worlds Blog: http://macict3dvirtualworlds.wordpress.com/ 3D Virtual Worlds Online Training Videos: http://trinity.macict.edu.au/ 3D Virtual Worlds Wallwisher - Learning Spaces: http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/learning-spaces 21st Century Learning Spaces: http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/learningspaces2 MacICT 3D Virtual Worlds Team Online World at MacICT

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