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Communication and Education in a Virtual World: Avatar-Mediated Teaching and Learning in Second Life

Communication and Education in a Virtual World: Avatar-Mediated Teaching and Learning in Second Life

Lorri Mon (Florida State University, USA)
Copyright: © 2010 |Volume: 1 |Issue: 2 |Article: 1 |Pages: 15
ISSN: 1947-8518|EISSN: 1947-8526|DOI: 10.4018/jvple.2010040101
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MLA

Mon, Lorri. "Communication and Education in a Virtual World: Avatar-Mediated Teaching and Learning in Second Life." IJVPLE 1.2 (2010): 1-15. Web. 1 Jan. 2019. doi:10.4018/jvple.2010040101

APA

Mon, L. (2010). Communication and Education in a Virtual World: Avatar-Mediated Teaching and Learning in Second Life. International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE), 1(2), 1-15. doi:10.4018/jvple.2010040101

Chicago

Mon, Lorri. "Communication and Education in a Virtual World: Avatar-Mediated Teaching and Learning in Second Life," International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE) 1 (2010): 2, accessed (January 01, 2019), doi:10.4018/jvple.2010040101

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Abstract

Education within Second Life frequently recapitulates the “sage on the stage” as students sit their avatars down in chairs in the virtual world and listen to or read an instructor’s lecture while watching a slideshow. This conceptual article explores alternative active learning techniques supporting independent and collaborative learning within virtual worlds. Within Second Life, educators can utilize a variety of scripted tools and objects as well as techniques of building and terra-forming to create vibrant virtual personal learning environments and learning experiences that are engaging and responsive to individual learners. Issues of embodiment in an avatar are discussed in terms of social presence, and student learning styles are considered as well as approaches to problem-based learning, games, role play, and immersive virtual world environments.

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