second life machinima: creating opportunities for curriculum and instruction
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*Outstanding Paper Award, ED-MEDIA World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications Abstract The research reported in this paper is part of an ongoing investigation into the design of technology-enhanced learning environment that draws from approaches embodied in situated learning. In this learning context, Second Life machinima is used as an anchor to mediate authentic learning experiences and facilitate apprenticeship-style learning in the classroom. The ultimate aim of the research is to address a long-standing educational problem in accounting education that of failing to help students to achieve higher order outcomes. This problem is deeply rooted in the limitations of traditional delivery modes prevailing higher education practices. Among other important findings, the paper reports that students appreciated the technology-enhanced learning environment, which resulted in significantly increased level of engagement and active learning. Findings revealed that the development of higher order thinking skills is best facilitated in authentic contexts that represent the values and practices of the discipline.TRANSCRIPT
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Second Life
MachinimaCreating new opportunities for curriculum and instruction
Nona Muldoon & Jennifer Kofoed
ED-MEDIA 2009
What is this research about?
Traditional methods not working
High failure rate
Graduates not ready for work
Re-engineering the learning
environment
Traditional teaching
model
Situated learning model
Transmission approaches Real life contexts
Greater focus on content Authentic learning tasks
Less focus on generic
skills
Real world problems
Focus on assessing facts
and figures
Authentic assessment
Our context…
Technology
Machinima
Hird & Co Intranet
LMS
Engagement in domain-related
practices
Coaching and modelling of
thinking skills
Ill-structured dilemmas
Support the learner
Practice fieldprovides bridges rather than gaps between
learning at university and professional practice
How can we bridge the gap?
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/62/202872717_a8a4799419.jpg?v=0
Cognitive Apprenticeship
Authentic context
ill-structured dilemma
Critical stages of
apprenticeship
modeling, coaching, fading
Designed-based research
Collaborative partnerships
Test and refine educational designs
Quantitative + qualitative method
Context - 3rd year specialist accounting course
multi-modal delivery, 8 Campuses +
Distance Educationn=233 students
1 course coordinator, 5 lecturers, 6 tutors,
1 mentor, 1 curriculum designer
• Lecture, tutorial & workshop for on-campus students
• Online group space for off-campus students
• Textbooks, Course Website, Hird & Co Intranet, Machinimas
• Students act as Audit Assistants and Audit Seniors
• Employed in mock audit firm – Hird & Co
• Audit Working Papers, Performance Review Summary (30%) + Mid Term Test (10%) and Final Exam (60%)
The new learning design
Comparative course resultshistory of failure rate 2005-2008
Year and term of
offeringNo. of students Failure rate
Term 1 2005 505 48.6%
Term 1 2006 873 50.7%
Term 1 2007 716 24.9%
Term 2 2007 265 22.7%
Term 3 2007 164 32.4%
Term 1 2008 380 8.4%
Curriculum alignment is critical
I learned and retained subject matter as a result of the structure of the course. I can’t
say the same for other subjects. A lot of this has really sunk in.
I can honestly say I have never learnt more in a subject and truly
appreciate the structure of the course.
Meaningful and motivating
context for learning
.
• “The Hird& Co scenario made the course more life like and made a tough course interesting.”
• “The hands on attitude of the course that you actually see what happens in the real world not just theory ...”
• “I enjoyed the machinemas. What a good idea – something different and enjoyable rather than just reading the case studies.”
To conclude…
• Informed use of technology can offer new possibilities for curriculum and instruction.
• “It was a very interesting way of doing a pretty tough subject... I want to thank you for this unique style of teaching.”
Questions and further info…
Nona Muldoon Jennifer Kofoed
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Skype: nona.muldoon Skype: jenny.kofoed
Blog: http://nonamuldoon.wordpress.com
Twitter:Nona_Muldoon
PPT slides in Slideshare:
http://www.slideshare.net/nona.muldoon
/ED-MEDIA-2009