Collaborative Process Analysis Coding Scheme (CPACS): Examining the Macro- and Micro- Level of Students’ Discourse in a Virtual World

Background

This research study was conducted in a scenario-based virtual environment. Here, we differentiate between this type of environment and places, such as Second Life, due to the intended purpose of the immersive environment. The main distinction between a virtual environment and a scenario-based virtual environment is that a virtual environment often mimics “real” life in that lectures, meetings, classrooms are all held within the immersive virtual space (Dalgarno, Lee, Carlson, Gregory, & Tynan, 2011; Kirriemuir, 2010). A scenario or narrative-based virtual world is founded on a story or narrative and information is built into the environment (Barab et al., 2009). In Quest Atlantis, the story is presented through an introductory video, novel and comic book, which involve mythical characters and a set of social commitments. The “questor” (participant) is invited to the mythical planet of Atlantis to investigate a range of social and environmental problems that are parallel to issues on Earth (Barab et al., 2005). The narrative helps to establish continuity among the core elements and helps to link the fictional world of Atlantis with the real world of Earth. River City is another well-known virtual environment that is scenario-based (Ketelhut, Clarke, & Nelson, 2010). Both of these environments have been designed for secondary school students, rather than higher education institutions.