Collaborative science learning in three-dimensional immersive virtual worlds: Pre-service teachers' experiences in Second Life

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Authors
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
07/2014
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Type
01A - Journal article
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Parent work
Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
Series
Series number
Volume
23
Issue / Number
3
Pages / Duration
291-322
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Abstract
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to enculturate pre-service teachers into Second Life (SL), a three-dimensional immersive virtual world, and to measure their change in attitude towards the potential of SL for education. By completing collaborative assignments in SL, nineteen pre-service general education teachers explored an educational, marine biology island in SL and evaluated its potential for incorporation in general and special education curricula. A pre- and post-survey inquired about the participants’ perception of the usability of virtual worlds for education. Participants collaboratively explored the marine ecosystem of the Abyss Observatory (Nishimura, Lim, & Koyamada, 2012), reflected on its unique affordances, and designed activities for an inclusive classroom, framed by a pedagogical rationale. The difference between the participants’ two attitude scores generated by the pre- and post-survey was calculated and was found to be statistically significant with a large effect size. Results suggest that this 7-Step Virtual Worlds Teacher Training Workshop had a positive impact on the participants’ attitude towards integration of SL into teaching. Five themes emerged with regards to the unique affordances of the Abyss Observatory’s deep-sea area. Finally, the “Teacher-Prep Virtual World Six-Step Model” for effective pre-service teacher preparation for teaching in SL was developed.
Keywords
Preservice Teachers, Teacher Training, Cooperative Learning, Science Education, Simulated Environment, Virtual Classrooms
Subject (DDC)
370 - Erziehung, Schul- und Bildungswesen
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ISBN
ISSN
1055-8896
1943-5916
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
No
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Publication status
Published
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Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
License
Citation
NUSSLI, Natalie und Kevin OH, 2014. Collaborative science learning in three-dimensional immersive virtual worlds: Pre-service teachers‘ experiences in Second Life. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia. Juli 2014. Bd. 23, Nr. 3, S. 291–322. Verfügbar unter: http://hdl.handle.net/11654/23787