SCOPE

Virtual Worlds (VWs) have become common amongst gamers and today’s youth for social interaction. Over the last few years there has been an active research community investigating VWs for contextualised learning for all age groups and for a variety of domains such as language learning, chemistry laboratories, archaeological digs etc. More recently, educational research has investigated the use of VWs for different educational strategies and levels of engagement such as information resourcing, or blended learning or constructive learning etc.. A variety of empirical studies have also been considered at various universities and colleges throughout the western world. This special session seeks to review the state of the art of current research with especial regard to the evaluation of both educational theories and empirical practices and to consider the optimal way forward for student centred learning within Virtual Worlds.

Topics include, but are not restricted to:
- Virtual World learning theories and strategies
- Empirical practices within VWs
- Evaluation of learning and empirical practice in VWs
- The variety of learning contexts and domains within VWs
- Student centred or directed learning
- Levels of student engagement
- Specific educational practices such as language learning, TEFL, scientific laboratories
- The role of interactive avatars
- World-wide inclusion of students and interaction

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Available soon.

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