A real-time strategy/simulation computer game created by game developer Maxis. There are four versions: the original SimCity (1989, later renamed SimCity Classic), SimCity 2000 (1993), SimCity 3000 (1999), and SimCity 4 (2003). All of the games were re-released with various add-ons including extra scenarios. In addition, SimCity Classic is available for a palm-connected organizer and on the SimCity.com Web site as Classic Live. (Wikipedia, 2007d)
Published in Chapter:
Enhanced Interaction in Mixed Social Environments
James Oliverio (Digital Worlds Institute, University of Florida, USA) and Dennis Beck (Digital Worlds Institute, University of Florida, USA)
Copyright: © 2009
|Pages: 17
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59904-808-6.ch009
Abstract
We introduce the term ‘mixed social environments’ as a strategic learning construct to augment student interaction when utilizing virtual world environments such as Second Life in the classroom. While an increasing number of institutions are investigating the use of virtual world environments for enhanced learning, at present there are at least three major areas that are underdeveloped: interdisciplinary research, documentation of best practices, and exploration of the use of mixed social environments. In the spring of 2007, a new interdisciplinary research seminar addressing these aspects was offered at a large American university. We present an overview of the resultant learning artifacts, outcomes, and research questions in hopes of helping to inform best practices, expand interdisciplinary research, and assist in the design of future mixed social environments for enhanced learning.