THE RESEARCH AGENDA:

“Development of A Theoretical Framework for Multi-User Virtual Environment Learning”

The videos below demonstrate some excellent ideas for how to use the Second Life environment for various educational purposes:

1. http://tr.im/rqOz
2. http://tr.im/rqOS

If anyone is interested in a taxonomy of pedagogical principles which differentiate the many specific instances of how to use SL, contact me! With general case models to classify each of these scenarios, it will be easier to be more inclusive in categorizing them, without merely making an exhaustive list. That will require deconstructing example usages conceptually.

Once characterized descriptively, each general case model could be tested for success under various conditions, and eventually guidelines established which fairly accurately prescribe a match between model-objectives-content-audience-techniques. Finally, with good correlations and predictive validity, these models could facilitate more fruitful research into (and possible experimental/mathematical isolation of) statistically significant effects due to highly specific psychological, or at least broad demographic as well as instructional design factors.

If anyone is aware of prior work on deconstruction of the psychological and pedagogical principles with direct relevance to MUVE‘s, please email me any info, or leads.