Bridging 3D and Web-Based Virtual Learning Environments

by Dr. Daniel Livingstone, Mr. Jeremy Kemp

Interest in the use of 3D multi-user virtual environments (MUVE) for eLearning has dramatically increased in recent years. In the past 12 months in particular there has been explosive growth in the use of the user-configurable MUVE Second Life as a platform for eLearning. The ease with which educators are able to develop their own custom content and use the environment to support constructivist and constructionist learning appears to have been a major driving force. However, Second Life has a number of limitations as an eLearning platform in its poor support for text based material and its lack of provision of tools to support asynchronous discussion and reflection on experience. This paper outlines the Sloodle project which integrates Second Life with a traditional web-based VLE to enhance the 3D eLearning experience.
We demonstrate how Sloodle is able to enhance and support effective communication and learning in Second Life, and present preliminary findings from its use by a number of early-adopters.

ID Number: 1158

Date: Tuesday, 4th September 2007

Time: 1545

Location: Law and Social Sciences Building, Room B1

Theme: Designing learning spaces

Presentation: bridging 3d and web based vles-altc07.ppt (The file which you can access from this link is the responsibility of the author of the Abstract to which the file relates, not ALT.