Abstract
Development and Use of Virtual Worlds in the Classroom
Track: Teaching with GIS in Higher Education
Author(s): Jesse Rouse, Susan Bergeron
Technologies that drive videogames have been adopted to build educational tools from early 8-bit game platforms to today's high-end 3D graphics laden game environments. While videogames have been both lauded as the next step in education and condemned as frivolous, it is hard to argue against the prevalence of videogames in the lives of students outside of the classroom (or hidden out of sight of the teacher). In addition, there is a perceived disconnect between traditional teaching methods and those students, referred to as digital natives, who have grown up with access to digital technologies. However, it is important to look beyond the use of virtual environments, to all of the impacts that videogames can have in the classroom. This paper will look at how involving students in the development, construction, and use of virtual worlds can foster a greater understanding of geographic concepts.
Jesse Rouse
West Virginia University
PO Box 6300
Geography
Morgantown , West Virginia 26506
United States
Phone: 304-293-3310
E-mail: jesse.rouse@mail.wvu.edu
Susan Bergeron
West Virginia University
PO Box 6300
Geography, WVU
Morgantown , West Virginia 26506
United States
Phone: 3042933310
E-mail: sue.bergeron@mail.wvu.edu