virtual worldsA REVIEW OF PEDAGOGICAL FOUNDATIONS
THE RESEARCH PROBLEMIs there really learning
going on in VIRTUAL WORLDS? •are VWs designed for
learning grounded in research and theory?
• if so, to what extent?
• if so, what theories are they grounded in?
THE Literature SEARCH
•EbscoHOST (ERIC, PsychInfo, Academic Search Premier) -103 articles
•EdITLib (Journals & Conference Proceedings) - 161 articles
• Interviews, emails - 4
•Search Parameters• “Virtual World”, “Learning Environment”, (pedagogyor theory or framework or “learning theory”), between 2000-2010
Reviewing Multivocal Literature• The problem: VW literature is all over the
place…case studies, reports, presentations, some empirical studies
• A wide range of literature can be a valuable source of information and insight, especially in situations like this
• Issues to be overcome: exclusion of data, selective use of information in documents, ambiguity in data collection and analysis procedures.
• Rigor: adherence to principles and procedures, methods and techniques that minimize bias and error in the collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting of data.
SOURCE: OGAWA & MALEN, 1991
Exploratory Case Study
SOURCE: OGAWA & MALEN, 1991
•Construct validity: establish clear definitions, accurate measures, and indicators of what is under study•Construct categories: identify “bins”, “partitions”•Chart relationships: establish connection between research questions & data components•Elicit themes and patterns (create a database)
Coding Criteria for Review• Research shows that four conditions must
exist for designs to be grounded in pedagogy:
• The design must be based in a defensible theoretical framework
• Methods must be consistent with the outcomes of research conducted (if “social constructivist”, then show those traits)
• Must be generalizable –can be applied more broadly than only to a specific setting or problem
• Validated iteratively through successive implementation
SOURCE: HANNAFIN, HANNAFIN, & LAND, 1997
Course: North-South Interdependence
Example: MURIAS projectHow well does this virtual world meet the conditions?
• The design must be based in a defensible theoretical framework
• Methods must be consistent with the outcomes of research conducted (if “social constructivist”, then show those traits)
• Must be generalizable –can be applied more broadly than only to a specific setting or problem
• Validated iteratively through successive implementation
References• Girvan, C., & Savage, T. (2010). Identifying an
appropriate pedagogy for virtual worlds: A communal constructivism case study. Computers & Education, 55(1), 342-349
• Hannafin, M., Hannafin, K., & Land, S. (1997). Grounded practice and the design of constructivist learning environments. ETR&D, 56(2), 161-27.
• Ogawa, B., & Malen, B. (1991). Towards rigor in reviews of multivocal literatures: Applying the exploratory case study method. Review of Educational Research, 61(3), 265-286.