Making Sense of Space

8

Virtual worlds in education

Abstract:

This chapter looks at two case studies which demonstrate the impact that experience of space has on the performance and learning of students in virtual worlds. The case studies are placed within the context of prevailing attitudes and understanding of virtual worlds’ education over the period in which they were conducted. In the first of these case studies, learners were taken on a field visit to a range of theatrical spaces in Second Life. Their experiences are described using the terms defined and clarified in Chapter 1, and demonstrate the importance of engagement of belief (and time inworld to develop this engagement) for creating fully a sense of place within those spaces. The second case study ...