Engaging Group E-Learning in Virtual Worlds.

Author List: Franceschi, Katherine; Lee, Ronald M.; Zanakis, Stelios H.; Hinds, David;

Journal of Management Information Systems, 2009, Volume 26, Issue 1, Page 73-100.

E-learning has seen tremendous growth in recent years. More and more, university courses are now available online to a potentially global audience. However, a significant shortcoming of e-learning technologies has been poor support for group-oriented learning. We believe that virtual worlds offer a potential solution. Unlike videoconferencing (for instance), virtual worlds provide a shared visual space for students to meet and interact (via avatars). Not only do students share the quasi-realism of a 3D environment where participants can see and hear one another, they also have the capability to manipulate artifacts together. These factors provide a strong sense of group presence, which leads to engaging group learning interactions.

Keywords: business education; e-learning; online learning; social presence; virtual engagement; virtual worlds

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#120	0.303	virtual world worlds co-creation flow users cognitive life settings environment place environments augmented second intention spatial interactivity ownership objects immersive
#12	0.170	students education student course teaching schools curriculum faculty future experience educational university undergraduate mba business technologies graduate courses programs subjects
#234	0.118	social networks influence presence interactions network media networking diffusion implications individuals people results exchange paper sites evidence self-disclosure important examine
#26	0.109	business large organizations using work changing rapidly make today's available designed need increasingly recent manage years activity important allow achieve
#238	0.078	shared contribution groups understanding contributions group contribute work make members experience phenomenon largely central key common especially major conceptualizing study
#233	0.062	group gss support groups systems brainstorming research process electronic members results paper effects individual ebs using used anonymity ideas discussion