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ERIC Number: EJ1043322
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Jul
Pages: 32
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1055-8896
EISSN: N/A
Collaborative Science Learning in Three-Dimensional Immersive Virtual Worlds: Pre-Service Teachers' Experiences in Second Life
Nussli, Natalie; Oh, Kevin; McCandless, Kevin
Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, v23 n3 p253-284 Jul 2014
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to help pre-service teachers experience and evaluate the potential of Second Life, a three-dimensional immersive virtual environment, for potential integration into their future teaching. By completing collaborative assignments in Second Life, nineteen pre-service general education teachers explored an educational, marine biology island in Second Life 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 moderate effect size. Results suggest that the workshop had a positive impact on the participants' attitude towards integration of Second Life into teaching. Five themes emerged from the journals with regards to the unique affordances of the deep-sea area. Finally, the "Teacher-prep Virtual World Six Step Model" for effective pre-service teacher preparation for teaching in Second Life was developed.
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 1545, Chesapeake, VA 23327. Tel: 757-366-5606; Fax: 703-997-8760; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A