New MAT Elective - Teaching and Learning in Virtual Worlds

Starting May 3rd 2008, under the Master of Arts in Teaching with Technology curriculum, the Graduate Center will be offering a new elective titled: "Teaching and Learning in Virtual Worlds"

In this course participants will explore a variety of 2D and 3D virtual worlds that target children and adults, including a couple designed for young children. The students will examine research and theory about games and simulations and their pedagogical implications and will consider the social, interpersonal, cultural, instructional, technical implications of virtual worlds. They will draw conclusions about the potential for using virtual worlds within teaching situations.

The course will be taught totally online using a combination of the learning management system Moodle and with a presence in the Virtual World platform, Second Life. Once in Second Life, participants will learn to navigate within this particular virtual world by creating an avatar (digital representation of self), communicating with others, moving and using the map; creating and using educational tools, and meeting with other educators in-world.

Elaine Garofoli, MAT Program Director, commented: "No one yet knows the educational value of 3D virtual worlds like SecondLife, but it is generally believed that the interest in such “Other Worlds” is now at a point where the Internet was 15 years ago. With an educational trend towards active and collaborative learning, such environments seem to lend themselves well, but it is now up to us to create significant learning experiences In-world.”

The Graduate Center is located at 28 Vernon Street in Brattleboro, Vermont.

To register online for this class please access our Continuing Education application form

For more information, contact the Admissions Associate Director jheslin@gradcenter.marlboro.edu / 802 258 9209

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