Dr. David W. Deeds' presentation for the 2018 Serious Game Conference: Using Virtual/Immersive Learning Environments in K-12. Dr. Deeds started using virtual worlds in universities as of 2006, he's been using them in K-12 schools since 2009. This presentation covers the theories behind I/VLEs. Links are provided to previous presentations featuring setup and other information.

1. Using I/VLEs in K-12
David W. Deeds

2. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Defining Terms:
• Virtual Reality (VR) vs. Virtual Worlds (VW)
• Immersive or Virtual Learning Environment
(I/VLE) sounds more impressive!
• But in VR lingo, VWs are not Immersive,
they’re Desktop/Third or First Person
• VR still not a Reality (!) for most schools
because of budget and other limitations
• VR will hopefully rejuvenate VW interest
• Mainly Second Life and OpenSimulator, but
also Minecraft…and others like WoW
• Are they games? Yes, but not all serious!

3. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Quick Introduction:
• 17 years in education: 8 in higher ed,
9 in K-12; 7 different countries…so far!
• Currently the Director of Information and
Learning Technologies for Schutz
American School in Alexandria, Egypt
• Been using Virtual Worlds since 2006

4. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Presentation Goals:
• Not a research paper, I won’t be citing
references (although I’m listing a few)
• Want to cover some of the basic theories
behind using VWs in education

5. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Presentation Goals:
• Not as much text (as usual)!

6. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Lots of (maybe too much?) background:
Serious Play 2016: slideshare.net/davidwdeeds/serious-play-
conference-edtech-evangelist-converting-the-unbelievers-
63730565
Serious Play 2017: slideshare.net/davidwdeeds/david-w-deeds-
its-not-whether-you-win-or-lose-serious-play-conference-2017
• My third consecutive
year presenting for
Serious Play/Game
• Check out my
SlideShare archives
for more info

7. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Yet more background (last one, I promise):
ACSTAC: slideshare.net/davidwdeeds/acstac-2017-using-
virtual-worlds-david-w-deeds
Bett MEA: slideshare.net/davidwdeeds/david-w-deeds-bett-
mea-introducing-gbl-to-your-k12-school
• Recent ACSTAC
presentation covers
OpenSim setup
• Recent Bett MEA
presentation covers
Games-Based Learning

8. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Second Life is not dead yet! Is a Third Life coming?

9. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Still plenty of geeky-cool stuff going on in SL!

10. Using I/VLEs in K-12
But OpenSimulator is the future of VWs in K-12.

11. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Minecraft counts, but Microsoft acquisition? Others?

12. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Is it 2018 or 1918? We need a disruptive innovation.

13. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Think your school’s ready for change? Think again.

14. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Pedagogical Approach:
• We’ve been changing the learning
experience or process (e.g., 1:1 programs)
• And the classrooms too (e.g., seating
arrangements, Makerspaces)
• We talk a lot (!!) about making teaching
and learning student-centric
• But administrators, teachers and even
students freak out when you actually try
changing the overall pedagogy
• What do VWs offer? Some theories
include…

15. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Situated Learning

16. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Socio-Constructivism

17. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Behaviorism

18. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Enough egghead stuff! How about the C’s?:
• Creativity
• Communication/Collaboration
• Critical Thinking/Cognitive Processing

19. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Creativity (inc. cross-curricular, real/virtual)

20. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Creativity (inc. cross-curricular, real/virtual)

21. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Communication/Collaboration (local/global)

22. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Communication/Collaboration (local/global)

23. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Critical Thinking/Cognitive Processing

24. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Critical Thinking/Cognitive Processing

25. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Project Examples:
• Art (real/inworld), inc. photography
• Music (real/inworld), inc. podcasts
• Literature, inc. machinima (3D animation)
• Building (structures to entire cities)
• Urban planning/replanning
• Programming (basics to advanced)
• Collaboration: Local to Global (20/20,
Youth Debates, etc.)
• Virtual field trips, inc. mutual teaching
• Simulations (existing or created)
• Just about everything: project management

26. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Is this how your students view your school?

27. Using I/VLEs in K-12
I/VLEs (VWs) are the disruptive innovation we need.

28. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Is it OK to say it’s FUN?

29. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Yes, it’s OK to say it’s FUN!

30. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Did I mention it’s…yes, I did. ;)

31. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Just two more student photo pages!

32. Using I/VLEs in K-12
Last one! (Been doin’ it in K-12 since 2009.)

33. Using I/VLEs in K-12
What’s next? Browser-based and course-specific!

34. Using I/VLEs in K-12
What’s next? OpenSimulator K-12 Worldwide Grid!

35. References
“Using Virtual Worlds in
Educational Settings”
By Lisa Jacka
Published by Routledge
ISBN: 978-1-138-30558-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-72890-1 (ebk)

36. References
“Design for Learning in
Virtual Worlds”
By Brian C. Nelson and
Benjamin E. Erlandson
Published by Routledge
ISBN: 978–0–415–88639–0 (hbk)
ISBN: 978–0–415–88640–6 (pbk)
ISBN: 978–0–203–83637–8 (ebk)

37. References
“OpenSimulator: School Quick
Start Guide”
By You Know Who
slideshare.net/davidwdeeds/
opensimulator-school-quick-
start-guide
I know, I know, it’s seven years old and I need to get off my
[butt] and write the second edition! But if you ignore the outdated
Setup section there’s still plenty of useful info here.

38. scoop.it/t/3d-virtual-worlds-educational-technology
scoop.it/t/integration-and-teaching-ed-tech
Follow my Scoop.it pages!

39. studiojonos@gmail.com
Cartoons by Studio Jonos

40. Thank you!
Questions/comments?
ddeeds@schutzschool.org.eg
davidwdeeds@gmail.com