3d Virtual Worlds as Learning Resources

3D Virtual World can a be good resources in learning Math and Science concepts. According to Keith Devlin, Executive Director of H-STAR Institute, students need to learn mathematics in meaningful context which means putting students in a context where they actually had to do mathematics in order to achieve goals. Research conducted at the H-STAR Institute indicates that video gaming where mathematics is required to succeed might be one way to improve learning because children encounter real life scenarios where mathematics is necessary.” (Role Playing Mathematics). Dr. Tony O'Driscoll in Virtual Social Worlds and the Future of Learning said that Virtual Social Worlds offers seven advantages to the learners; the sense of self, the death of distance, the power of presence, the sense of space, the capability to co-create, the pervasiveness of practice, the enrichment of experience. He contended that these advantages provide us with freedom (which stands for flow, repetition, experimentation, engagement, doing, observing, motivation) to create true experiential learning opportunities. The World of Miamiopia is a virtual world, where children of all ages can create characters and then use these characters as they explore, play educational games, and solve puzzles and other challenges. As children play the over 300 educational games, their characters earn "coins". These coins can be used to purchase accessories, such as virtual clothing, wigs, jewelry, belly stickers, homes, and home decor.

Another Virtual World that can be used for learning is Second Life.  Second Life offers role playing that teaches Math and Science in the process. Second Life can definitely enhance the learning process. Students can explore objects and places that are replicas of the real world from a first person perspective. Students can visit historical sites, galleries, museums and natural parks that would not be possible in real life because of distance, cost or historical period or era. Second life offers a different experience than traditional virtual tours because students can go back in time and explore historical sites as it was before not as it is of the present. The scavenger hunt, the guided tours and sloodle as mentioned in Educational Uses of Second Life can be really great interactive tools for learning. Students interact with their environment and even each other. At present students are immersed in animated TV programs and interactive computer games at home that sloodle’s combination of the Moodle learning management system with the interactive multiuser experience of Virtual Life does not only enrich students’ learning experiences but also offer a way of keeping their interest in the lesson. They explore the virtual environment and do educational tasks like answering questions and get simultaneously graded in Moodle.  

While studying Unit 3 Latin America, in 5th grade Social Studies, I can take the whole class on a virtual tour of Ancient World Art Mayan, Aztec, Pyramid, Mexican, 2012, Inca, Dynasty Land in Second Life, The students can virtually experience going up and down the steps of the pyramids as well as discuss with each other the objects and art works inside and outside the pyramid. This way the class would be immersed in the two objectives of the unit, Latin American Art and architecture (NY City Scope and Sequence p. 18). Second Life make the lesson interactive and fun as the student virtually explore the place like they are actually there. The students will be engaged and I can easily keep their interest in the lesson. A related destination will be the UW Project: Maya Island 3D project by University of Washington students about Mayan civilization which include a Mayan medical village, a science and astronomy center and an explorer's cove.

Another example will be taking the whole class to GREAT WALL OF CHINA - World Heritage Site, China Sichuan which is under the Real Life categories in Second Life, while studying Unit 2-7 of 3rd Grade Social Studies (NY City Scope and Sequence p. 11) . The students can explore by walking around in the replica of one of the seven Wonders of the World. Second Life provides the students three dimensional perspective of the Great Wall of China, an experience not possible by just showing videos or pictures of it and all without leaving the physical classroom or going through the hassle of traveling or the cost of a foreign trip.

Second Life can also be used to enhance science lessons.A fourth grade  class can teleport to NOAA Virtual Island, an Education/Nonprofit destination in Second Life, while studying  UNIT 4 INTERACTIONS OF AIR, WATER, AND LAND (K-8 Science Scope and Sequence p. 5) when students are supposed to investigate the negative and  positive impact of extreme natural events (earthquake, volcanoes, etc.) on living things.  Aside from learning facts from virtual field trip, using Second Life enhances this project because students can virtually experience being in the center of a hurricane or tsunami  without dealing with the dangers of being in a real extreme weather condition. It gives them a sense of being there as well an opportunity to observe in an engaging learning space that will not be feasible in the classroom because teachers can’t manufacture weather conditions to coincide with curricular units. In a way, Second Life let the class get around nature’s time table and experience learning opportunities on demand. The following are good Second Life destinations for science learning.

•      Virtual Mine an educational 3D environment and game that teaches about mountain top removal, coal fired power production, alternative energies, and the amazing music and culture in the Appalachian Mountains.
•       Inspire Space Park – SL residents can explore the stars, galaxy and the universe
•      MoonWorld a simulation of lunar geology field work funded by NASA, this project lets SL residents explore the lunar surface to closely observe the terrain and collect samples
•      NASA eEducation Island provides support for teaching about NASA in the classroom This education resource center has a marine research station, underwater habitat and even an Antarctic outpost
•    The Abyss Observatory A museum of ocean science and technology which let visitors travel 2,000 meters down into the dark depths of the ocean floor
•   The Frontier Project is a 14,000-square-foot demonstration building that educates consumers, commercial builders, and sustainable advocates regarding the latest methods and technologies in water, energy, and site conservation.
•      Synthetic Biology Interactive (SBI) an educational resource and interactive learning area about synthetic biology.
•      Genome Island - SL residents can study microbiology by stepping inside a rotating plasma membrane, check out elaborate dioramas, and play interactive games designed to teach students and scholars alike more about the micro world.
•     Astronomy Island offers a tour of a digital planetarium, listen to podcasts, and learn all about astronomy at this SL science destination, which is sponsored by the American Astronomical Society
•      Spaceflight Museum offers a series of exhibits and events about real-world space travel hosted by the International Spaceflight Museum

Sources:

University, S. (n.d.). Role Playing Mathematics. Retrieved from Science 360: http://science360.gov/obj/video/1e1f14ec-ed83-4266-8e8a-e57b645ed1c5