Title: Enquiry-based learning: exploring the potential of virtual worlds (SecondLife)

Authors: K. Nadia Papamichail, Amal Alrayes, Linda A. Macaulay

Addresses: Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Booth Street East, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK. ' Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Booth Street East, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK. ' Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Booth Street East, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK

Abstract: Nowadays academic institutions seek to equip students with interpersonal and project management skills by enhancing their learning experience through the use of new collaborative technologies. This paper presents an enquiry based learning initiative. A virtual world environment was introduced to facilitate group project work. A collaborative learning framework applied to assess the team work project. This paper discusses how the project acted as a vehicle for increasing the involvement of employers in the university programme and achieving the objectives of greater student creativity, productivity, engagement, and participation in team work.

Keywords: virtual worlds; virtual communities; web based communities; online communities; internet; world wide web; SecondLife; Second Life; enquiry-based learning; EBL; teamwork; academic institutions; interpersonal skills; project management skills; learning experiences; collaborative technologies; universities; higher education; group project work; employer involvement; collaborative learning; university programmes; curriculum development; student creativity; student productivity; student engagement; student participation; tutors; ITMB students; information technology; IT management; ICT; communications technology; UK; United Kingdom; technology enhanced learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2010.035735

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2010 Vol.2 No.4, pp.321 - 335

Published online: 03 Oct 2010 *

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