Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments

Author: Thomas, Michael, author, ed.
Publisher: IGI Global, Hershey PA
ISBN: 9781466617704
Table of Contents: Preface

Section 1 - Key Concepts
ch. 1 The Centralisation Dilemma in Educational IT (Martin Weller)
ch. 2 e-Learning in the Cloud (Niall Sclater)
ch. 3 Toward a Personal Learning Environment Framework (Mohamed Amine Chatti, Mohammad Ridwan Agustiawan, Matthias Jarke, and Marcus Specht)

Section 2 - Design
ch. 4 Designing Effective Spaces, Tasks and Metrics for Communication in Second Life Within the Context of Programming LEGO NXT Mindstorms Robots (Michael Vallance, Stewart Martin, Charles Wiz, and Paul van Schaik)
ch. 5 Home Virtualis: Virtual Worlds, Learning, and an Ecology of Embodied Interaction (Leslie Jarmon)
ch. 6 Second Life as a Surrogate for Experiential Learning (Michael N. DeMers)
ch. 7 An Interdisciplinary Design Project in Second Life: Creating a Virtual Marine Science Learning Environment (Riley Triggs, Leslie Jarmon, Tracy A. Villareal)
ch. 8 Virtual Speed Mentoring in the Workspace - Current Approaches to Personal Informal Learning in the Workplace: A Case Study (Chuck Hamilton, Kristen Langlois, and Henry Watson)

Section 3 - Implementation
ch. 9 Communication and Education in a Virtual World: Avatar-Mediated Teaching and Learning in Second Life (Lorri Mon)
ch. 10 Mechanics Simulations in Second Life (Kelly Black))
ch. 11 Development of an Interactive Virtual 3-D Model of the Human Testis Using the Second Life Platform (Douglas R. Danforth)
ch. 12 Affective Load and Engagement in Second Life: Experiencing Urgent, Persistent, and Long-Term Information Needs (Diane Nahl)
ch. 13 Investigating Modes of Student Inquiry in Second Life as Part of a Blended Approach (Sheila Webber)
ch. 14 Low-Coast Virtual Laboratory Workbench for Electronic Engineering (Ifeyinwa E. Achumba, Djamel Azzi, and James Stocker)

Section 4 - Evaluation
ch. 15 The Development of a Personal Learning Environment in Second Life (Sandra Sutton Andrews, Mary Stokrocki, Angel Jannasch, and Samuel A. DiGangi)
ch. 16 A Framework for the Assessment of Wiki-Based Collaborative Learning Activities (Hagit Meishar-Tal, and Mat Schencks)
ch. 17 Evaluating Games-Based Learning (Thomas Hainey, and Thomas Connolly)
ch. 18 Challenges Facing the Semantic Web and Social Software as Communication Technology Agents in E-Learning Environments (Bolanie A. Olaniran)

Compilation of References
About the Contributors
Index

Virtual learning environments offer a novel environment through which teachers can engage students in active learning. Whether through virtual worlds such as Second Life or a custom-designed personal learning environment, together students and teachers can explore new boundaries in education.

Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments highlights invaluable research covering the design, development, and evaluation of online learning environments. An essential resource for academics, professionals, corporate trainers and policy makers, this book examines the role of technology enhanced learning in this emerging area. (From the Publisher)