ERIC Number: EJ1011671
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jan
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1093-023X
EISSN: N/A
Avatars Talking: The Use of Virtual Worlds within Communication Courses
Sarachan, Jeremy; Burk, Nanci; Day, Kenneth; Trevett-Smith, Matthew
Journal of Interactive Learning Research, v24 n1 p75-91 Jan 2013
Virtual worlds have become an invaluable space for online learning and the exploration of digital cultures. Communication departments can benefit from using these spaces to educate their students in the logistics of virtual worlds and as a way to better understand how the process of interpersonal and global communication functions in both online and face-to-face environments. These case studies offer details on how the communication departments of four universities implemented Second Life into their curriculum. The discussion includes how to introduce virtual worlds to students and create environments for collaborative work and artistic creation, along with addressing issues of identity and conducting interpersonal communication in a virtual space. (Contains 2 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Computer Simulation, Cooperative Learning, Interpersonal Communication, Computer Mediated Communication, Educational Technology, Virtual Classrooms, Colleges, Case Studies, Online Courses, Synchronous Communication, Identification (Psychology), Pictorial Stimuli, Design
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 1545, Chesapeake, VA 23327. Tel: 757-366-5606; Fax: 703-997-8760; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Arizona; California; New York
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A