Constructivist-Based Teaching in Second Life From a Student’s Perspective: A Model Proposal

Scott Bledsoe*, Dave Harmeyer**
* Assistant Professor, Department of Graduate Psychology, Azusa Pacific University.
** Associate Dean, University Libraries, Azusa Pacific University.
Periodicity:July - September'2011
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.8.2.1631

Abstract

This paper provides qualitative student-centered research from an online Research Methodology course taught partly within the immersive, 3-D environment of Second Life with fifty-eight graduate psychology students for the purpose of suggesting a constructivist-based instruction model for immersive environments. A qualitative method approach was applied through open ended questions, a satisfaction survey, the capturing of graphical images, student recorded perceptions and authors observations. Although the data was mixed on students’ perception of Second Life as an effective medium for learning, the study showed that slightly more than half of participants (53%) found the experience positive and a large number (81%) felt that being part of a constructivist group in-world aided in the individual learning of research method concepts. With this in mind, a new teaching model for immersive environments is proposed.

Keywords

Virtual Environments, online learning environments, constructivist, 3-D software, Second Life, higher education, graduate psychology

How to Cite this Article?

Scott Bledsoe and Dave Harmeyer (2011). Constructivist-Based Teaching In Second Life From A Student's Perspective: A Model Proposal. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 8(2), 34-41 https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.8.2.1631

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