Group items tagged

Dizzywood was developed by the entertainment company Rocket Paper Scissors. It is considered a virtual game, but there are many learning experiences built in. Dizzywood is participating in an elementary school program with the Reed Union School District in Marin County. "The highly interactive workshop uses virtual activities to reinforce the school's character pillars, which include caring, citizenship, fairness, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness. Students also learn about important issues relating to virtual worlds, such as digital citizenship and online safety, as well as complete storytelling and team-building exercises that emphasize creativity, writing and reading skills, and working together to achieve goals." In addition, they have partnered with the YMCA to create a virtual learning program promoting cooperative skills.

How to change Kitely default virtual world browser. (Directions for both PC and Mac)

How to set up a virtual classroom with Kitely, OpenSim and Facebook.  Very clear instructions.

Textures for virtual worlds. Must buy set for each different grid (discounts available). 

Daniel LIvingstone's post listing  Free stuff for virtual worlds and game based learning good beginning list!

A portion of a recorded Webinar discussing the basic building blocks for creating a 3D Virtual World learning environment. Speakers are Karl M. Kapp (Bloomsburg University) and Tony O'Driscoll (Duke University), co-authors of "Learning in 3D: Adding a New Dimension to Enterprise Learning and Collaboration".

It's no secret that the US Government and Military have been investigating virtual environments for some time, and Second Life has been a popular playground for both simulation research and recruiting.  In an interview on Second Life's blog, Douglas Maxwell from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) talks about how they've integrated Second Life into their environment.

Rezzable created an on-line virtual questing environment to support Ytouring 's Starfish production where students learn through questing in a 3D environment about Scurvy and Clinical Trials. After seeing Starfish audiences are invited to enter Steamfish a specially created world. First they create their own character (avatar). In character they arrive on board the recently 'shipwrecked' Stella Maris. This is where they start their quest to learn more about scurvy and clinical trials. 

Islamic sites in Second Life used for information and training. Good use of learning objectives and justification of use of 3D environment. A Virtual Makkah, Masjid Al-Haram, Al-Andalus

Ning site is dedicated to teachers exploring the potential of using MUVEs for teaching and learning about Social Studies. This is the group Virtual Pioneers in Second Life. Many links to great educational projects for K12 teachers and ISTE.

This is a wiki that explores educational uses of different virtual learning environments. It was really interesting learning about programs/tools other than SL, such as augmented reality. Click on the "About Us" link to find out more about the Horizon Project.

Systems Thinking and Game Design through the eyes of a 4 year old. Interesting observations about the value of games in understanding problem solving and social interactions. Not directly related to virtual worlds - although good for understanding WHY virtual worlds and online games might be valuable student learning experiences.

Although physical education in second life would be more of a skills analysis or cognitive application as opposed to actual physical activity, there are breakthroughs in virtual reality applications for physical education.

This article discusses students needs in education in the 21st century and the successful emerging virtual learning communities out there in Web 2.0.

Happy Steve blog post chronicling ongoing student work on a Second Life Teen Grid Island. Booralie Island is the virtual extension of a Christian school located in Sydney, Australia. Their island is largely student created and used for many different subjects. Happy Steve is also a great example of a technology infused enthusiastic teacher. This post details students building a war memorial, scripted recording studio, coliseum ... on their own time and after school.

Lengthy, but interesting article on sims and virtual worlds. Reminiscent of Bernie & Karl's game course.

The Virtual Ability site is dedicated to helping people with disabilities or chronic health conditions and their families. It is very user friendly allow users to touch various destinations within the site and then be transported to those destinations. As someone new and not very mover able it was a big added attraction. It also has a guided tour including a an air ballon ride. Very cool.

Edmonton prototypes possible changes to city center and gains citizen input through Second Life. Thought: How could students use a virtual world with building capabilities to suggest urban (and suburban) planning options in their own communities?

I feel strongly about kids actually having to go out and participate actively in "real life" sports. I do however see the benefit of using virtual reality to improve mental strategies and to develop skills independently. Virtual reality in sports and fitness can help to encourage young people to be more active. This article describes some of the advantages and disadvantages to using virtual reality in sports and fitness.