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ERIC Number: EJ946151
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1812-9129
EISSN: N/A
Learning Ethics through Virtual Fieldtrips: Teaching Ethical Theories through Virtual Experiences
Houser, Rick; Thoma, Steve; Coppock, Amanda; Mazer, Matthew; Midkiff, Lewis; Younanian, Marisa; Young, Sarah
International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, v23 n2 p260-268 2011
Teaching ethical reasoning is considered an important component of the undergraduate learning experience. A recent approach to teaching using experiential learning is through virtual worlds such as Second Life. We discuss how ethics may be taught using experiential learning in the virtual world of Second Life. Participants in the class in this example were eleven undergraduate honors students. The course involved presentations in ethical theories such as Buddhism and Utilitarianism. Students completed assignments based on experiences in Second Life that were then linked to ethical theories discussed. The observations and analyses they completed demonstrated that the experiential learnings provided opportunities to apply concepts and theories in a virtual and real world. Interestingly, the students found evidence of residents of the virtual world of Second Life to hold ethical principles which influenced their actions. However, there were other instances where residents adhered to few ethical principles other than self interest. Suggestions are made about the importance of introducing ethics to a virtual world such as Second Life.
International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning. Web site: http://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A