Design for learning in virtual worlds / Brian C. Nelson, Benjamin E. Erlandson.

"Virtual worlds offer engaging, rich visual and auditory experiences to their users. In them, players guide computer-based avatars through virtual landscapes filled with realistic buildings, objects, characters, and the avatars of other players. In the commercial realm, games and online virtual communities attract millions of devoted fans who spend large amounts of time and money in these worlds. In recent years, interest in virtual worlds as platforms for instruction and training has rapidly grown as researchers and designers focus on their potential power as learning environments. Educational virtual worlds are designed to incorporate situated learning concepts of collaborative knowledge building among communities of learners in contexts that closely mimic the real world. In this, the first text written specifically on how to design virtual worlds for educational purposes, the authors explore: the history and evolution of virtual worlds (commercial and educational), the theories behind the use of virtual worlds for learning, the design of curricula in virtual worlds, design guidelines for elements experienced in virtual worlds that support learning, and design guidelines for learning quests and activities in virtual worlds. They also examine the theories and associated design principles used to create embedded assessments in virtual worlds. Finally, they offer a framework and methodology to assist professionals in evaluating off-the-shelf virtual worlds for use in educational and training settings"--Provided by publisher.

"In this, the first text written specifically on how to design virtual worlds for educational purposes, the authors explore: the history and evolution of virtual worlds (commercial and educational), the theories behind the use of virtual worlds for learning, the design of curricula in virtual worlds, design guidelines for elements experienced in virtual worlds that support learning, and design guidelines for learning quests and activities in virtual worlds. They also examine the theories and associated design principles used to create embedded assessments in virtual worlds. Finally, they offer a framework and methodology to assist professionals in evaluating off-the-shelf virtual worlds for use in educational and training settings"--Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I: Introduction and overview -- Definition and history of virtual worlds for education -- Mechanics of virtual worlds : the world -- Mechanics of virtual worlds : the GUI -- Part II: Theoretical basis for learning and assessment in virtual worlds -- Theoretical basis for learning in virtual worlds -- Defining the context of virtual worlds -- Measurement and assessment with virtual worlds -- Part III: Theoretical perspectives : design for learning in virtual worlds -- Part III: Theoretical perspectives : design for learning in virtual worlds -- Critiquing virtual worlds and virtual-world-based curricula -- Designin curricula for virtual worlds -- Designing measures for assessment with virtual worlds -- Part IV: Beyond design : development and implementation of virtual worlds -- Developing virtual worlds for learning -- Implementation and evaluation of virtual worlds in multiple contexts.