ERIC Number: EJ1154968
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1947-8518
EISSN: N/A
Teacher Perceptions of the Practicality and Effectiveness of Immersive Ecological Simulations as Classroom Curricula
Metcalf, Shari J.; Kamarainen, Amy M.; Grotzer, Tina; Dede, Chris
International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments, v4 n3 Article 5 p66-77 2013
Recent research with Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) in education has shown that these platforms can be effective and engaging for students; however, educators and administrators have practical concerns about the adoption of MUVE-based curricula. This study looks at implementations of EcoMUVE, a MUVE-based curriculum designed to support middle school learning of ecosystem concepts and processes. Research questions looked at teacher perceptions of the curriculum's implementation feasibility, alignment with curricular objectives and standards, and perceived value. Results showed that EcoMUVE was very well received, and technical issues were manageable. Teachers felt the curriculum was effective, aligned well with standards, and compared favorably with a non-MUVE alternative. Particular technological and curriculum features that contributed to EcoMUVE's perceived value included student-directed learning, an inquiry, role-based pedagogy, immersion in the virtual environment, and the ease of collecting and comparing data with graphs.
Descriptors: Teacher Attitudes, Computer Simulation, Simulated Environment, Ecology, Virtual Classrooms, Adoption (Ideas), Curriculum Design, Program Implementation, Middle School Teachers, Scientific Concepts, Alignment (Education), Independent Study, Inquiry, Learner Engagement, Data Collection, Graphs, Feasibility Studies, Teacher Surveys, Interviews
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A