I guess I'm not really entirely sure what virtual worlds really are. I have never even heard of any sites the chapter mentions, and based on the descriptions, I don't think I have ever participated in anything like that online. I don't think I have not "visited" virtual worlds for any particular reason.....they just have never been something I have gotten into. My younger brother is very involved in the virtual world, online gaming. He plays as one certain character, which grows and develops over time as he plays the game. This isn't so hard for me to understand, because my family is pretty familiar with video games in general, and most hold at least a similar premise (working toward beating the game, etc.). I just can't seem to wrap my mind around the idea that while my brother is "playing the game" on his computer, he's communicating with people on their own computers, who-knows-where in the world, so they can all work together to achieve some designated task or mission and each grow their characters into however much more experience/maturity. The game in itself is complicated enough for me to understand, let alone to involve people you can't even see, but I can certainly see how my brother and the millions like him find it so enjoyable.
Since I do see how much my brother enjoys participating in his online gild (I think they're called-the group of characters he goes on missions with), I think that interest could really benefit a student in the classroom. The key to my agreement with this, however, is my assumption that the interest will transfer into something educational and relevant- meaning, the virtual world sincerely scaffolds meaningful learning from the teacher. I realize that my knowledge of these world are sadly lacking, as I have already stated my complete ignorance of all the sites mentioned by Brooks-Young; but my other experience with educational technology has taught me how easy it would be for a teacher to fit the lesson around the virtual world, when the world should really be supporting the lesson. Personally, the reality of achieving that balance makes me skeptical, but that's not to say it can't be done. If it is.....at this point I'm prepared to at least try whatever might help my students learn....why not?!
Suppose, Maegan, that you could assign your students to wander through the Globe Theater, in Shakespeare's time. Perhaps your student might come across a character who is rehearsing some lines. Could your student determine what play, which character, etc. Maybe your student could be assigned to work with some others to track down the very Bard himself. And, when they find him, ask him about some aspect of his writing. Depending on how and what they ask him a bit more about his life the background for some of the plays, etc.
ReplyDeleteA virtual world need not necessarily be a game, but just in walking around there may be some things they can see and learn. Or with your teacher scaffolding you could ask, for instance, how many female actors they saw - and why?
So, you see a virtual world could help students learn better what life is like and communicate a good deal of information in a ways that are a lot more interactive than merely reading a book. For some students (especially those who just aren't going to read the book), it may make the difference between knowing Shakespeare and not knowing anything but another hour in a stuffy classroom.
Thanks for your thoughts!