Specific Examples
This entry on immersive environments is based on Burns (2012)
The types of such environments include gaming that is addressed under its own category below. The other types are: Virtual worlds ― typically non goal oriented but can include missions and goal oriented communities. Examples: Open Sim ― http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Main_Page, Small worlds ― https://www.smallworlds.com/ Multi-User Virtual Environments ― Goal oriented with specific learning objectives and collaborative. Examples: River city ― http://rivercity.activeworlds.com/ , Quest Atlantas ― http://www.questatlantis.org/ Virtual/Augmented Reality ― Goal oriented with sensory/bodily interaction. Examples: Smart Board ― http://education.smarttech.com/, Haptic technology is not a brand or a site but a type of technology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haptic_technology Simulations ― In simulations you are yourself and the simulation is a close representation of the physical world governed by the same rules. Examples: Distributed observer ― http://don.valador.com/, Google Earth ― https://www.google.com/earth/, Flight Simulators, GEFS on-line http://www.gefs-online.com/ |
Defining characteristicsImmersive environments enable all types of interactions and can support collaboration as well as interaction. Involvement is a choice, participation is pulled not pushed. The learner and teacher context is complex as described under “Application in Learning design”. Design would have to start with appropriateness not just for the learner community but for the learning required. There has to be a clear and significant payoff. This technology is in its infancy in a wide learning context. More educational research is needed. Burns (2012).
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Possible application in learning design
“Immersive environments can offer learners rich and complex content-based learning while also helping learners hone their technical, creative, and problem-solving skills. Because immersive environments are so rich and visual, users tend to be highly engaged.” Burns (2012)Immersive environments support the development of:
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