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:1. Does teaching in virtual environments
enhance course content? If so, how? If not, why not?2. How is learning
assessed within virtual environments? Are these assessments comparable to
existing forms of assessment?3. 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?4. Are there best
practices for teaching or research in virtual worlds? What are some
strategies for beginners? 5. What are the challenges of teaching in virtual
space? How are these challenges addressed?6. How are virtual projects
funded? What avenues for support exist?7. 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 ([log in to unmask] )
and Timothy Shields ([log in to unmask]), and to the editor-in-chief, James
Morrison ([log in to unmask]), no later than January 15, 2008.Thanks!Jim----James
L MorrisonEditor-in-Chief, Innovatehttp://www.innovateonline.infoFischler
School of Education and Human ServicesNova Southeastern
Universityhttp://www.schoolofed.nova.edu/home.htm