ERIC Number: EJ940326
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Dec
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0360-1315
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Available Date: N/A
Pre-Service Teachers' Perspectives on Using Scenario-Based Virtual Worlds in Science Education
Kennedy-Clark, Shannon
Computers & Education, v57 n4 p2224-2235 Dec 2011
This paper presents the findings of a study on the current knowledge and attitudes of pre-service teachers on the use of scenario-based multi-user virtual environments in science education. The 28 participants involved in the study were introduced to "Virtual Singapura," a multi-user virtual environment, and completed an open-ended questionnaire. Data from the questionnaire indicated that gender and current computer game use were likely to affect the perceived benefits of using virtual worlds in a classroom setting. Behavior management was seen as being a constraining factor on a pre-service teacher's willingness to use a virtual world in the future. Overall, the results of the study indicate that pre-service teachers as a result of their use of "Virtual Singapura" are both aware of virtual worlds and have a reasonable understanding of both their potential advantages and disadvantages within a classroom setting. (Contains 3 figures and 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Preservice Teachers, Science Education, Gender Differences, Student Behavior, Behavior Problems, Preservice Teacher Education, Vignettes, Science Instruction, Virtual Classrooms, Computer Simulation, Simulated Environment, Computer Assisted Instruction, Educational Games, Questionnaires, Teacher Attitudes, Student Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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