Exploring the Potential Virtual Worlds Platforms for Educational Purposes

Abstract

The developments of new technologies have allowed the emergence of environments that include representations of some elements, which we can see in real world. These elements are virtual humans, which interact with each other’s, virtual physics objects (lands, oceans, and virtual objects), gravity as well as its laws that govern the society. These environments have some peculiars characteristics (synthetic, immersive, presence, interactive, realistic and three-dimensional space) which allowing distinguishes the traditional applications have occupied an important space in the cyber culture and education. To understand their advantages especially when used in education, it makes sense to look for how the social virtual worlds can improve the teaching/learning process and stimulate the Knowledge, including the development of learning to learn autonomy. Our research provides a brief description of Social Virtual worlds, such as Second Life, Active Worlds and Wonderland and makes a comparative analysis between them, based on the matrix developed by Manninen in 2004. Includes a set of measures chosen according the differences and distinctions technical and user interface criteria. Finally, we discuss the potential of these environments for educational purposes. In the future, these worlds may provide a set of services educational including e-learning materials, course module materials, assignments and class sessions, communications between tutors and learners and e-assessment. However most of today’s educational institutions will be challenged to encompass the informal and holistic learning scenario