Learning in a multi-user virtual environment

Abstract

New and innovative opportunities for teaching and learning are offered by MUVEs [Multi User Virtual Environments], Built on gaming technologies MUVEs are primarily a synchronous 3D social platform operating without goals and objectives wherein all content is user created and owned. They are increasingly being used by educators all around the globe as a new and more advanced platform for 3/4D data visualisation and e-learning. But how effective are these environments as learning platforms and what do the students and staff involved think of Second Life in particular as a platform? The research reported here analyzes the response of one group of students to a MUVE, in this case Second Life. This paper records the student experience of studying and completing assignments in Second Life, and an evaluation of the learning process by the teaching team. © 2008 IEEE.