Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools, presentation given at TechEx 2011 Conference in Bangkok. How Second Life, OpenSimulator, Quest Atlantis, Unity3D/Jibe and other immersive virtual environments are revolutionizing education. The 2011 Horizon Report K-12 edition says games-based learning will be mainstream in schools in 2-3 years. David W. Deeds and his colleagues at Changchun American International School in China have had great success with 3D virtual worlds and you can too! CAIS hopes to lead the International Baccalaureate into the 21st century of education by helping to spearhead a K-12 OpenSimulator Grid, a series of Second Life islands, or both!
TechEx 2011: Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools: David W. Deeds
1. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools David W. Deeds, IT Manager/Teacher Changchun American International School TechEx 2011: October 13, Bangkok 1
2. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools What are we trying to do? Introduce 3D virtual worlds to “noobs” (newbies) Provide more 3DVW info to those already familiar Discuss why 3DVW’s are the best thing to hit education since the invention of the printing press Discuss how your school can get started with 3DVW’s Ideally without reinventing the wheel (or e-book!) What are we NOT trying to do? Convert the hopeless heathens to the one true faith 2
3. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Virtual world – a 3D computer environment in which users are represented on screen as themselves or as made-up characters and interact in real time with other users – Computer Desktop Encyclopedia MMOG = Massively Multiplayer Online Games MMORPG = MMO Role Playing Games MUVE = MultiUser Virtual Environment (Immersive) (Try to avoid using the word “game”!) 3
4. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Today we’ll be talking about: Second Life OpenSimulator Quest Atlantis Unity3D/Jibe Using 3DVW’s for K-12 education, specifically in international schools! People ARE getting it! 4
5. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools International educational technology conferences during 2011: Flat Classroom Conference in Beijing AACE Global Learn Asia Pacific Conference in Melbourne (2nd consecutive GLAP) AACE ED-MEDIA Conference in Lisbon Global Meeting on Gifted Education in Second Life Conference inworld TechEx 2011 OpenSimulator e-book: 4,000 reads/4 months! 5
6. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Get a copy of: “2011 Horizon Report K-12 Version,” free: http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2011-Horizon-Report-K12.pdf “OpenSimulator: School Quick Start Guide,” free:http://www.scribd.com/doc/57959626/OpenSim-ulator-School-Quick-Start-Guide “A Practical Guide to Using Second Life in Higher Education” by MaggiSavin-Baden, not free: Open University Press (McGraw-Hill), ISBN: 978-0335242146 (http://www.ebooks.com) 6
7. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools The 2011 Horizon Report says games-based learning will be MAINSTREAM in K-12 schools in 2-3 years. Supports communication, problem-solving and collaboration (2 of the Web 2.0 3 C’s – also connection, ISTE NETS!) Helps develop dispositions well-suited to rapid change and an information culture in general Includes social aspects of teamwork, project management, play (How about being FUN? STEM!) 7
8. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Savin-Badin’s “Practical Guide” says “immersive virtual worlds” have many advantages. Space in which experimentation can occur not possible in real life Good fit for a culture that focuses on the visual Provides a sense of freedom and openness in teaching and learning Offers exposure to wide range of scenarios Enables process- or task-based teaching/learning 8
9. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Deeds says, should he ever get time to write his next book, that 3DVW’s will be an indispensable part of if not the focal point of 21st century education, for K-12 and all schools. No better way to teach the 3 C’s: Connect, Communicate and Collaborate For international schools, 3DVW’s help students (and teachers) transcend the language barrier Gifted and Special Needs programs built-in K-12 OpenSimulator Grid/Second Life Islands 9
10. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life: Launched by Linden Labs in 2003 3D virtual world with built-in modeling (CAD) tools and Linden Scripting Language Not a game (per se): connect, communicate and collaborate (also conduct commerce!) Q1 2011 holdings: US$30,000,000 Been in Second Life for 5 years, taken over 500 students inworld for different classes Basic membership FREE, Premium $75/year 10
11. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life Business/IT/Other classes since 2006: Professor in Korean university’s International Business Department Students from Korea, China, Russia, Vietnam, Laos and other countries (widely varying English) No lower-level textbooks for subjects such as Management Information Systems! Needed a means of differentiation: “gifted/talented” plus “regulars” plus “special needs” kids Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP), Individualized Education Plans (IEP) 11
12. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Individualized Education Plans (IEP): Started with Ph.D. research, means of meeting needs of all students across the spectrum Tried formal IEPs but involved a lot of paperwork, easier to make informal, although signatures help Better to develop “skeleton” lesson plans that can be adapted, special needs or gifted/talented kids and all “regulars” 12
13. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools ASMeB = Anti Social Media Behavior 2D tools (wikis, blogs, etc.) enable the 3 C’s…people just won’t/don’t do it Facebook Phobia: people lose jobs for posting: photographs; opinions; etc. Privacy concerns; awareness of permanence; hesitation to write in general Exchanges are generally asynchronous, text Innovative? Interesting? FUN? 13
14. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Generic international school problems: Schools are geographically separated, isolated No IT classes, or Design/Technology split Teaching 21st century tech: teachers, budgets Specific 3 C’s Problems: Students aren’t necessarily fluent in LOI 2D tools are limited: subjects especially! Privacy; permanence; ASMeB; FUN? 14
18. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life Demo (Hopefully live, maybe recorded) 18
19. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools OpenSimulator: Came onto the scene in 2007, now at 0.7.2 (still alpha, not yet at Version 1) NOT a Second Life clone! (Viewers are) 3D virtual world with built-in modeling (CAD) tools and Linden Scripting Language Not a game (per se): connect, communicate and collaborate (conduct commerce later?) Been in OpenSimulator since 2008, taken over 150 students inworld for different classes 19
20. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools OpenSimulator: FREE, although hosted solutions best for most schools (if you have good Internet access!) Two Do It Yourself options: client/local or client/server Still not mature, but getting there…soon (??) should be able to do everything Second Life does and so it’s predicted to come out on top Open Wonderland, others have come and gone… OpenSimulator will be the #1 choice of schools 20
24. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools OpenSimulator Demo (Hopefully live, maybe recorded) 24
25. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools At CAIS, we use: Munchkinland for PYP (elementary school) ICT classes: running on Big Bertha 4-region private grid called Florida Caisland via ReactionGrid for MYP Technology classes 1-region public grid called just plain Caisland in ReactionGrid (K-12s Inworld headquarters) An almost 10,000-square-meter cybercampus on Teaching in Second Life (K-12s Inworld HQ) for DP Info Technology in a Global Society classes 25
26. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Advantages of OpenSimulator over Second Life: FREE (the software anyway) Private versus public (if you want it this way) Complete control over parameters Advantages of Second Life over OpenSimulator: Where everybody is, at least grownups! Economy, exchange of goods and services More mature, it’s a for-profit business 26
27. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life and OpenSim: Built-in computer-aided design (3D modeling) tools: students build their own worlds Built-in Linden Scripting Language: students easily learn programming with instant payoff Project management: students must work together in teams with defined roles and responsibilities Language exchange programs: virtual field trips! 27
28. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life: Teachers/Administrators & Students 16+: Teachers/administrators can attend meetings and otherwise network with professional peers Students can produce products and run their own businesses, making actual profits if successful Teachers/administrators can recruit and otherwise advertise their organizations Students can visit the cybercampuses of universities or colleges they want to attend 28
29. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools OpenSim: Teachers/Administrators & Students 3-19: With grid, teachers/administrators can do everything possible in Second Life, except perhaps economics Students can enjoy completely private regions/grids while intermittently going on virtual field trips Technology classes can feature true continuity: students starting as of PYP could be professional builders/programmers by DP Younger students learn all computer basics plus advanced aspects such as project management 29
30. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Problems? What problems? Geographic location/isolation no longer a factor (except for time zones). Virtual China or Italy “next door”! 3D meetings 24X7. Information and Design Technology tracks combined! Or just Design, using 3D modeling. 21st century educational technology at $100 a month, with teachers and students training simultaneously! 3D enables struggling students to succeed, while native speakers excel: ultimate differentiated classroom! Special needs and gifted/talented. Avatars are anonymous; people talk, not write; no such thing as ASMeB; and yes, it’s FUN! 30
31. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life and OpenSim, what have we learned? Students: Computer-Aided Design, Programming, Project Management, Business, English Social Constructivism (Reality, Knowledge Learning), Learner-Centric Instruction, IB Design Cycle: Investigate, Design, Plan, Create, Evaluate Teachers: Inclusion, Differentiation, Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Problem-/Task-Based Instruction, Action/Active Learning, Reciprocal Guidance, Inquiry-Based 31
32. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Getting Your Cyberturf (Prices might not be right!) Second Life: New Media Consortium Jokaydia Grid International School Islands OpenSimulator: ReactionGrid Jokaydia Grid Do It Yourself: Client/Local or Client/Server 32
33. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life Getting Your Cyberturf: New Media Consortium International, nonprofit organization Linden Lab certified service provider Offers discounts for educational organizations Mutual facilities on each sim, plus entire islands with facilities Other services available, up to designing and building entire island 33
34. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life Getting Your Cyberturf: New Media Consortium 2048 sq m (64 x 32, 469 prims) US$200/year 4096 sq m (64 x 64, 938 prims) US$400/year 8192 sq m (128 x 64, 1875 prims) US$800/year Entire sim (256 x 256, 15000 prims) US$5000/year http://virtualworlds.nmc.org/services/ Contact: Nancy Reeves (nancy@nmc.org) 34
35. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life Getting Your Cyberturf: Jokaydia (Also rents OpenSim regions) 1024 sq m (235 prims) US$350/year 1500 sq m (350 prims) US$450/year http://slurl.com/secondlife/jokaydia/127/127/24/ http://jokaydia.com/rentals/index.php Contact: Jo Kay (joannamkay@gmail.com) (Jokay Wollongong in Second Life) 35
36. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Second Life Getting Your Cyberturf: International School Islands 512 sq m (110 prims) US$95/year 1024 sq m (220 prims) US $190 per year Individual mini-island , 512 sq m (130 prims) US$200 /year http://slurl.com/secondlife/International%20Schools/68/82/24/ http://www.shambles.net/secondlife/isi_renting/index.htm Contact: Chris Smith (shambles.guru@gmail.com) (ShamblesguruVoom in Second Life) 36
37. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Getting Your Cyberturf: Timbucks 4096 sq m (460 prims) US$300/year (Price varies if inland or beachfront, customizable) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Timbucks/123/245/23/ Contact: Tammy DeCoste (Knotawriter@gmail.com) (Knota Writer in Second Life) 37
38. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools OpenSimulator: Getting Your Cyberturf Options: Private Region/Grid for School Connected Grid for Multiple Schools (e.g., China, Harrow, International Baccaleaurate Organization, 21st Century Schools) Three Vendors Offering Both: ReactionGrid Jokaydia Dreamland Metaverse Do It Yourself (see the e-book!) 38
39. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Getting Your Cyberturf: ReactionGrid (Also has Unity/Jibe Acccounts) http://reactiongrid.myshopify.com/collections/virtual-worlds US$75/month for 4 regions, US$220 setup (each school gets its own server) Grids: 1 week, prices depend on power/users Contact: Robin Gomboy (robing2@reactiongrid.com) 39
40. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Getting Your Cyberturf: Jokaydia (Also rents Second Life regions) http://www.jokaydiagrid.com/rent-a-sim/ 1 region: US$25/month 2 regions: US$50/month 3 regions: US$75/month Grid: 1 week, prices depend on power/users Contact: Jo Kay (joannamkay@gmail.com) 40
41. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Getting Your Cyberturf: Dreamland Metaverse (No Setup Costs) http://www.dreamlandmetaverse.com/ Residential Region (40 avatars): US$45/month Professional Region (80 avatars, 45000 prims): US$90/month Grid: 1 week , US$45 Core + US$45 Each School Contact: Snoopy Pfeffer (snoopy.pfeffer@yahoo.com) 41
42. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Getting Your Cyberturf: Do It Yourself! Client/Local Client/Server “OpenSimulator: School Quick Start Guide” has step-by-step directions. 42
43. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools K-12 OpenSimulator Grid! This is the year! Presentation request to IB Asia Pacific Conference. Proposal to the IB or other organization (not the Asia-Europe Classroom Network again)! Looking for people to help with proposal, grant request writing (or just general contacting). Check out DraganLakic’s KIVIWO and its partnership with SpotOn3D: http://kiviwo.com/ Also could have K-12 Island(s) in Second Life! 43
44. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Quest Atlantis: http://atlantis.crlt.indiana.edu/ Prebuilt 3DVW with quests (you can build/create) From the University of Indiana, FREE For students 9-16, maybe as young as 8 CAIS took MYP English classes inworld last year Three teachers in training as of this week Trainers in Australia, regular schedule Must have 2 teachers, 4 1-hour online classes Contact Bronwyn Stuckey: (bstucke@indiana.edu) 44
45. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Quest Atlantis Demo (Hopefully live, maybe recorded) 45
46. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Unity3D: http://unity3d.com/ Fantastic, FREE (basic version) 3D game IDE! iPhone or Android license costs money, US$1500 Unity/Jibe: http://www.reactiongrid.com/ Proprietary server platform for Unity development ReactionGrid offers starter programs: US$125/3 mos. More info: http://reactiongrid.myshopify.com/#1 3D game/app development without programming (?) 46
47. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Unity/Jibe Demo (Hopefully live, maybe recorded) 47
48. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Essential sources…the official guides: “Second Life: The Official Guide” by Michael Rymaszewski, et al., ISBN: 978-0470227756 “Creating Your World: The Official Guide to Advanced Content Creation in Second Life” by Aimee Weber, et al., ISBN: 978-0470171141 “Scripting Your World: The Official Guide to Second Life Scripting” by Dana Moore, ISBN: 978-0470339831 48
49. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Essential sources…three textbooks: All by Jeff Heaton, Heaton Research, Inc. “Introduction to Linden Scripting Language for Second Life,” ISBN: 978-1604390049 “Scripting Recipes for Second Life,” ISBN: 978-1604390001 “Introduction to Textures, Animation Audio and Sculpting in Second Life,” ISBN: 978-1604390025 (http://www.heatonresearch.com/book/cat/3) 49
50. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools More information: “Learning and Teaching in the Virtual World of Second Life” (edited) by Judith Molka-Danielsen, Tapir Academic Press,ISBN: 978-8251923538 “The Second Life Grid: The Official Guide to Communication, Collaboration and Community Engagement” by Kimberly Rufer-Bach, Wiley Publishing, ISBN: 978-0470412916 50
52. Using 3D Virtual Worlds in International Schools Thank you for your attention! Questions/Comments? David W. Deeds, IT Manager/Teacher Work: +86-431-8458-1234, ddeeds@caischina.org Home: +86-186-8668-4534, davidwdeeds@yahoo.com Facebook & LinkedIn: David W. Deeds Skype: davidwdeeds, Twitter: dwdeeds Second Life: Deed Davids (visit Teaching!) ReactionGrid: Deed Davids (visit Caisland!) 52