No specific mention of library application in this CFP, but let's hear from some of you Second Lifers:
Innovate, published as a public service by the Fischler School of Education and Human Services and sponsored, in part, by Microsoft is soliciting manuscripts for a special issue on academics in virtual environments. This issue focuses on the use of Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) as an enhancement to K-21 education. A MUVE combines graphics and audio with the ability to communicate with multiple users in real time within the context of a 3-D virtual environment. MUVEs are not necessarily considered games, as programs like Second Life and There have no end goal or objective.
Harvard's CyberOne: Law in the Court of Public Opinion course opened the doors for other academics to use virtual environments to enhance teaching and learning. In the past two years, over 300 colleges and universities have claimed virtual land in an attempt to enhance content delivery. This virtual land and its future development occurs only a computer network. While critics and skeptics exist, many educators are looking to take the plunge and discover the potential of virtual-based teaching.
Submissions for this special issue may address, but are not limited to, these key issues:
- Does teaching in virtual environments enhance course content? If so, how? If not, why not?
- How is learning assessed within virtual environments? Are these assessments comparable to existing forms of assessment?
- What are the ethical considerations of creating virtual content? What are the practical concerns? If a university funds virtual projects, who owns the content? Who should own the content? How are students protected? How is student work protected?
- Are there best practices for teaching or research in virtual worlds? What are some strategies for beginners?
- What are the challenges of teaching in virtual space? How are these challenges addressed?
- How are virtual projects funded? What avenues for support exist?
- What pedagogical approaches are central to the delivery of materials within virtual worlds?
If you would like to submit a manuscript on this topic, please review our submission guidelines at
http://www.innovateonline.info/index.php?view=submit and send your manuscript to the guest editors, Beth Ritter-Guth ([email protected] ) and Timothy Shields ([email protected]), and to the editor-in-chief, James Morrison ([email protected]), no later than January 15, 2008.
