Integrative Learning: A General Education Course on the Art and Science of Virtual Worlds

Abstract

This article describes the design and initial implementation of a multidisciplinary, integrative learning course on the art and science of virtual worlds. The course combines comple-mentary disciplines – Computing, Physics, and Narrative Art – in a single general education course for first-year students. The course attempts to incorporate narrative design elements with the scientific considerations and technological tools necessary to create immersive environments. The intended outcome of this course is for students to have an engaging, team-based, interdisciplinary learning experience which will allow them to build their integrative learning skills. The initial offering of the course did not go as planned but provided insight into future course revisions (e.g. more emphasis on coding skills, a shift in technologies used) which may enable the course to better achieve its intended goals.