3D Virtual Worlds in Higher Education

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Author(s): Lucia Rapanotti (The Open University, UK), Shailey Minocha (The Open University, UK), Leonor Barroca (The Open University, UK), Maged N. Kamel Boulos (University of Plymouth, UK)and David R. Morse (The Open University, UK)
Copyright: 2012
Pages: 29
Source title: Informed Design of Educational Technologies in Higher Education: Enhanced Learning and Teaching
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Anders D. Olofsson (Umeå University, Sweden)and J. Ola Lindberg (Mid Sweden University, Sweden)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61350-080-4.ch012

Keywords: Education / Educational Technologies / Information Science Reference / Technologies in Higher Education

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Abstract

3D virtual worlds are becoming widespread due to cheaper powerful computers, high-speed broadband connections and efforts towards their tighter integration with current 2D Web environments. Besides traditional gaming and entertainment applications, some serious propositions are starting to emerge for their use, particularly in education, where they are perceived as enablers of active learning, learning by doing, and knowledge construction through social interaction. However, there is still little understanding of how 3D virtual worlds can be designed and deployed effectively in the education domain, and many challenges remain. This chapter makes a contribution towards such an understanding by reporting on three notable case studies at the authors’ own institutions, which have pioneered the use of Second Life, a 3D virtual world, in higher education.

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