What are the main affordances of
virtual worlds in the context of teaching and training?
In general terms an affordance
is the quality of a thing that allows
it to perform its intended action. For
example: A pencil affords writing, and
handles provide affordance for holding.
In the context of teaching and training, affordances can be thought of
those things that enable, or enhance education in a virtual world. Some of the most important affordances of
virtual worlds are as follows: Enhanced
experiential learning, increased student engagement, and more diversity in
student populations.
When a student becomes immersed in a virtual world, often
times the student is able to rely on more senses than they might typically get
in a classroom or lecture hall, in order to more completely comprehend
presented material. Students can take in
their surroundings, creating spatial awareness, as well as interacting directly
with objects that may not be available in a classroom environment. Consider architectural students in Boston
being able to virtually walk through scaled models of the Parthenon, or the
Sistine Chapel, for example. Or
consider, would be surgeons, practicing virtual open heart surgery before they
move on to practicing with cadavers or expensive models. Instructors can create realistic scenarios,
and the student is able to fail, make mistakes, and most importantly, learn
without devastating consequences.
By entering a virtual world students take a more active role
in the lesson, rather than just listening to an instructor drone on in a lecture. Students can interact with each other, instructors,
and objects, in real time. Group work is
easily performed in virtual worlds and all students, even socially awkward or
shy individuals, can take active roles in interacting with the environment and
solving complex problems. Virtual worlds
also create a level playing field for students -reaching across boundaries of
culture, class, and geographical location.
Students from all over can meet
in a virtual space in real time, creating more opportunities for learning and
peer to peer interaction.
Upcoming generations of students have been and will continue
to be raised on technology. Virtual
Education is the logical progression of applying innovative learning models and
methods that will keep these new students engaged and motivated. Tech savvy educators can manipulate all variables
within virtual worlds, thus creating very realistic learning environments that are
accessible to students from all walks of life.
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