In the Presence of Avatars: What Makes Virtual Teachers and Learners Seem (Un)Real?

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Author(s): Brock S. Allen (San Diego State University, USA)and Sabine Lawless-Reljic (San Diego State University, USA)
Copyright: 2011
Pages: 23
Source title: Teaching and Learning in 3D Immersive Worlds: Pedagogical Models and Constructivist Approaches
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Amy Cheney (Appalachian State University, USA)and Robert L. Sanders (Appalachian State University, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-517-9.ch004

Keywords: Education / Educational Technologies / Information Science Reference / Virtual Learning Environments

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Abstract

As ancient mythic forms of being, avatars represented the descent of deities from heaven. Today the term is most widely used to refer to figures (often 3D, mobile, and dynamic) that represent human computer users in virtual worlds. The core issue in the development and use of avatar technologies is, “What does it mean to be present and to be perceived as present by others?” These questions have been addressed for more than a half century by researchers on communication and on education; many of their ideas and findings provide footholds in the slippery realm of evolving media technologies. The chapter focuses on the role of immediacy behaviors in closing the psychological distance between teachers and learners in real and virtual worlds and the role of social presence in avatar-based teaching and learning.

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In the Presence of Avatars: What Makes Virtual Teachers and Learners Seem (Un)Real?

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