NMC Campus Observer

John Bransford Gives Talk in SL

Danielle Damone (aka Danielle Mirliss) : Oct 4, 2006 06:49pm

John Bransford, James W. Mifflin University Professor of Education and Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle, is well known for his contributions in the field of technology and education including co-chairing the committee responsible for the series of books “How People Learn”.  His current role at the University of Washington includes being the Principle Investigator and Director of the NSF funded Center for Learning in Informal and Formal Environments (LIFE).

Researchers at LIFE are currently investigating the use of virtual worlds to support learning.  During his first Second Life talk held on October 2^nd, Dr. Bransford discussed the potential of virtual worlds for education:

John Bransford: People have asked if multi user virtual environments (MUVES) like Second Life (SL) can support “rigorous learning. Given the right kinds of designs, the answer is “yes”. But the yes answer requires “effective designs”.  I’m going to focus on very simple example of a design and then turn to the real message; namely, that environments like SL provide a way for all of us to learn from one another by collaborating in new ways that, ultimately, can restructure the nature of’ educational possibilities.
 

Dr. Bransford also recognizes the creativity of the residents in SL and the need for more collaboration among researchers and educators in this environment (at least that is how this author is interpreting it) to build upon each other’s work. 

John Bransford: We need to have a focused way to build on one another’s work however.  All of us in LIFE are far from having a clear idea of exactly how to establish this kind of innovation environment.  But we are convinced that second life offers a great possibility for doing this.  Ultimately, we could imagine a series of adventures for students that could become a new way to create curricula. It is one of the most powerful ways we know that might radically change the nature of education.
 

If we are to make such changes in education I agree that it can only be realized through the collaboration of creative, talented individuals – which describes many of the people that I have met in SL :)  For a full transcript of Dr. Bransford’s talk be sure to visit the simteach wiki.  The presentation included a video of the research that is being conducted by LIFE – it can be access at the LIFE blog.  If you are interested in joining a community dedicated to building upon each other’s work and experiences be sure to attend one the NMC Teacher Buzz sessions – we would love to have you!

Story filed under: Campus Headlines,People, Places, Things,Teaching and Learning

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