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In this presentation, John will share his experiences using virtual world technology to enhance education and his current work at ReactionGrid to create web and mobile-based virtual word platforms. He will share success stories from university environments and describe best practices for integrating virtual worlds into a broader curriculum. He will also explain common pitfalls when exploring virtual world technologies and highlight the unique affordances of virtual worlds when they are interwoven with existing social media (e.g., Facebook) and web-based educational content.
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November 10, 2011Athabasca University
From Margins to Mainstream:Successfully Integrating Virtual Worlds
into Educational Institutions
John LesterDirector, Community Development
ReactionGrid Inc.
These Slides: http://bit.ly/Athabasca2011
● Creating 3D Simulation and Virtual World platforms for general purpose use.
● Developing desktop and mobile applications. ● Helping clients with best practices for developing
successful immersive learning projects.
ReactionGrid Inc. Services
● Government: NASA, NOAA, DOE, GovGrid, Veterans Administration
● Enterprise: IBM, Microsoft, Xerox, Siemens, Raytheon,
Novonics, Emdeon, American Cancer Society, Aspyr Gaming Studios
● Universities: Boston College, Cedar Crest Academy,
Chanchung American International School, Colorado Mountain College, George Mason University, Georgia Tech, Hong Kong Polytechnic, Future University Japan, Perdue, Rutgers
ReactionGrid Inc. Clients
● "Emotional Bandwidth" ● Building new tools to increase it. ● Learning how to use existing tools better.
Immersive Learningand some Best Practices
● Our brain is designed to thrive in a 3d environment full of embodied people and places.
● We forget the importance of
social cues that build empathy and trust.
● What we experience in a virtual
environment feels real because our brain fills in the gaps.
Bound by our Biology
● Pattern Matching ● The Tiger in the Grass ● Lost Opportunities caused by
using a new tool like an old tool.
Common Pitfalls
● We tend to recreate the familiar. ● We do this because the familiar feels safe. ● The deepest learning happens not when we
feel safe, but when we are fascinated with and challenged by our environment.
Creating Engagement
RSU3 Virtual Learning Center (Adult Education, Maine)
Challenge: Reduce Rural Isolation
● Define and Remember your Strategic Goals
My Favorite Best Practice
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. -Sun Tzu
● Engage people Easily and Everywhere (3Es). ● Make sure your tools work with each other.
● Use industry standards whenever possible. ● Focus on Augmenting, not Replacing.
More Best Practices
● Jibe is a multiuser 3d virtual world platform created by ReactionGrid using Unity3D technology.
● A Jibe world can be embedded on any web page, with mobile
support in progress. ● Jibe integrates and communicates with web portals,
LMS/CMS and industry standard databases.
The Jibe Platform
Visit this Jibe world
Fish where the Fish Live
Thank you
pathfinder@reactiongrid.com
twitter: @pathfinder
contact: about.me/pathfinder
Jibe-Unity3d Discussions:bit.ly/Jibe-Unity3d-Discussions
slides: bit.ly/Athabasca2011
www.reactiongrid.com
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