MUVES+and+Professional+Development

Week 5 EDUC 6713 -
 * MUVES and Professional Development**

=Lisa Gonzalez - Week 5= The Cited Research Center gives some great background knowledge on MUVE’s and even gives some suggestions for MUVEs for the classroom. Here is a link to this site, []

I also found this site below. This is an organization that is dedicated to educating people about the potential Active Worlds have. They teach users about the Active World and how to navigate within these worlds. __[] __

The link below gives a list of the many Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and you tube links that give way to social media about the Habbo MUVE. This will be a great place to find updates about the MUVE and the latest happenings. []

I found this website to be incredibly informative as well. This site below offers resources where teachers can go to aide in the planning of lessons and find out the latest technology tools being used in the classroom. []

Any of these above resources would be great to show my colleagues. When MUVEs come to mind it is difficult, at first, to see how we can relate what we are teaching to what is happening in this virtual environment. Therefore I think it is important to give ideas about how we can integrate this 21st century tool into our classroom and connect it to our curriculum. Showing them an actual MUVE and asking them to discuss how we could connect what we are seeing in the MUVE to what we are teaching might be another activity I would try in the workshop.

=Todd Deschaine - Week 5= This was a comprehensive article that did some good additional explanations on the MUVE environments, especially the positive effects that MUVE participation would have on the students using it. There was also a nice explanation about the users and how security is ensured. []

I wanted to see more real MUVE application sites, and one that specifically dealt with Mathematics was called AquaMOOSE 3D. AquaMOOSE is described as a graphical environment that helps students learn about math and computer programming. The user becomes a fish, and programs their movement throughout the various water worlds that can be selected. It does involve downloading and installation on the individual computers, so I do not know the feasibility of using AquaMOOSE during the school year, but I hope to investigate this once the year starts. The interface of AquaMOOSE seems a bit complicated, actually using a calculus class as an example. I thought this was more along the lines of a high school math or science class that would be working with the three direction axis. []

One MUVE that seemed more appropriate for the middle school level is called Quest Atlantis. There seems to be many interfaces or worlds to explore, and each is tied to a specific learning activity. This platform also requires a download, and there seems to be a more detailed instruction process that initially looked intimidating. Once the student gets registered, it is not so daunting a task to get started. There seems to be a big push by the administrators of Quest Atlantis for more educators to work with them to develop content, and they seem cautious to the amount of time and commitment is required in order to create their own virtual world. []

I also explored the sire called Eduism, and at first glance it appeared like a site that could be used easily. They seem to have all the right wording, and catch phrases, but after watching the videos, it was quite confusing. There is a video about adding a bird to their virtual world. It starts out by adding a picture file, then a sound file, and a movie file. I was fine until the point where the video adds a parse file. My experience with parsing has been limited to AutoCAD in a manufacturing environment, and I remember how parsing an object would really grind the computers to a halt. The parsing process on Eduism seemed very vague, and a model bird just appeared. I am sure that this parse file had been created previously, and it took the largest amount of time. This parse file seems to be where the magic of the 3D environment really happens. []

The site I am familiar with that best suits the middle school mathematics environment is the Lure of the Labyrinth, sponsored by MIT. The user, or player has to find their stolen pet by solving a variety of math-based puzzles. It is worth the visit, and be careful not to get addicted to the game like I did. []

Lisa to Todd I went on to the site that you recommended, Labyrinth, and it seems like it would be very engaging for the students and very worth the while to do. Although I was disappointed when I realized that it was for grades 6-8. I teach fourth grade, so I am now on the hunt for a similar site that is for the younger grades.

Quest Atlantis is actually a site that I have been looking at for a while now. I requested approval to explore the site as a guest but the coordinators of the site have not gotten back to me yet. It is going on a full week now. It does look like it would hold a lot of potential for curriculum connections. I’m hoping they can grant me permission in time for me to meet with my administration so I can show them how awesome the possibilities could be.

Thank you for taking the time to find that great article and explore those different sites! Lisa Gonzalez

=Curt Gerbers - Week 5=

Eduism is a free Three Dimensional Multi-User Virtual Environment program that allows you to create your own virtual worlds. The site that I found offers a training guide to help you get started using and building your own virtual world. []

This article discusses how the use of MUVEs can assist in student learning. It also provides a step-by-step path towards implementing a MUVE in the classroom. The author outlines a plan using the Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate method. []

Teachers Discovering History as Historians discusses the use of Second Life in and out of the classroom. They provide educational ideas for its use as well as safety tips for students using Second Life. []

The River City Project is a MUVE run by Harvard University. They were testing the program in 2009-2010, but it is unclear where the project stands as of today. The goal was to build a virtual world where students can learn scientific inquiry principles. []

Hotchalk is an online learning community where teachers can parents can learn about new advancements in learning technology. It also includes webinars based in MUVEs. One area is specifically focused on Second Life, but many areas of professional development can be found. []

The MUVE for education resources are growing as more educators and researches are finding use for MUVEs. Using a MUVE would be a great way for my staff to take part in professional development. Teachers would be able to get a first-hand look at the ability of a MUVE to be used as a teaching tool. It would also give teachers a hands-on approach to using and learning to use technology in the classroom. The resources I found could also be used as a companion to the professional development. Teachers requiring extra assistance, ideas, or guidance could use the resources I found online to further their understanding and use of a MUVE.

Joanne Crooks - Week 5

MUVE - Second Life

I tell my students the greatest opportunity for learning is when you experience difficulty with a concept. If you do not give up but rather push harder to learn by trying different strategies and are not afraid to fail you will learn. I had to remind myself of this because I found the concept of MUVEs confusing and difficult. Learning about Second Life, how to maneuver, find places, groups and try to determine where to find connections has been very difficult. However, I am finally beginning to feel more comfortable with using Second Life.

__ISTE has a Special Interest Group for Virtual Environments space in Second Life – ISTE SIGVE__ This will take you to a map in Second Life directly linked to ISTE SIGVE: [] ISTE SIGVE also has a Weebly listing events, training, and speakers [] as well as a Wikispace that includes access to a Virtual Education Journal [] Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco, CA – hosts a virtual museum within Second Life The online address for the blog informs of upcoming events and highlights past events. []

ISTE ET – is an ISTE group within Second Life for Emerging Technologies organized to promote and support emerging technologies in education. Another resource within Second Life for emerging technologies is the group eLearning Future – What works in emerging learning technology []

I believe I could use Second Life to engage in professional development once I learn how to build within Second Life. I noticed in my travels throughout Second Life there are classrooms where colleagues can gather for professional development. Power point and other slide presentations can be embedded within Second Life, as can YouTube videos.