A Teaching Method Based on Virtual Worlds and Mastery Learning

Abstract

The evolution of virtual worlds in education has provided the creation of new pedagogical alternatives. In the present study, we explore this potential, integrating the Bloom’s Mastery Learning theory, designing a teaching method based on periodical assessments, and supplementary, support offered through the use of an OpenSim virtual world. An experiment was carried out during half of the school year of 2017, involving 74 sixth grade students in a Science class, divided in control and experimental groups. The results demonstrated better performance of the group using the virtual world in comparison to the group using the Moodle learning platform, in which, the post-test presented a slightly higher median for Group 2 (84.50) compared to Group 1 (83.00). As for the student’s impressions, it was in general of acceptance and positive impressions about the experience.