Between Purpose and Method: A Review of Educational Research on 3D Virtual Worlds

Abstract

This study aims to enhance our holistic understanding of 3D virtual worlds by providing a detailed analysis of the research methods and research trends related to the research of 3D virtual worlds for educational environments. Data was collected by searching for the ubiquitous term, "virtual world," from databases. Snowball sampling was also employed. The researchers critically analyzed the literature as data focusing on how virtual worlds were applied in individual studies, what research methods were used, and what disciplines were examined in the studies. The results indicate that virtual worlds are mainly used for the simulation of space, and they are used in different ways depending on discipline and temporal scope. Virtual worlds are increasingly being used in blended learning contexts. While descriptive research methods were most used in research studies on the educational applications of virtual worlds, experimental approaches are increasingly being used by researchers. Based on these results, this study suggests an appropriate research direction for the application of virtual worlds in educational contexts in the future.

Online teaching practices : Sociomaterial matters in higher education settings

“…A majority of the authors are located in the UK and the USA and several aspects of virtual worlds are covered in the issues. See also literature reviews on virtual worlds in education (Conole & Alevizou, 2010;Hew & Cheung, 2010;Inman, Wright, & Hartman, 2010;Kim, Lee, & Thomas, 2012;Savin-Baden et al, 2010;Wang & Burton, 2013). Some of these reviews not only report empirical studies, but encompass a range of sources.…”

“…A dominating theme of interest in previous literature concerns the possibilities virtual worlds have in an educational context (Annetta, Folta, & Klesath, 2010;Conole & Alevizou, 2010;Deutschmann, 2012;Esteves, Fonseca, Morgado, & Martins, 2011;Inman, Wright, & Hartman, 2010;Kim, Lee, & Thomas, 2012;Petrakou, 2010;Rapanotti, Minocha, Barroca, Kamel Boulos, & Morse, 2012;Wang & Burton, 2013). Several concepts are used in these studies when describing this interest, such as opportunities, affordances, potentials, facilitations and strengths.…”

“…It should also be noted that the educational contexts in these texts are varied. Conole and Alevizou (2010) and Savin-Baden et al (2010) focused on higher education and Kim et al (2012), Hew and Cheung (2010) and Inman et al (2010) were concerned with both higher education and K-12 (K-12 is a term for kindergarten and first through 12 th grade in countries such as the USA and Canada). Wang and Burton (2013) took an overall educational perspective.…”

Spring 2013 Vol. 20 No. 2

“…2. Kim et al (2012) found sixteen reports describing the use of SL in foreign language courses, eight in computer education, eleven in general education, twelve in the sciences, five in interdisciplinary education, three in economics, two in design, and eight in other disciplines.…”

“…See Kim et al 2012: 2. Herold's (2012) report of his experience using SL at Hong Kong Polytechnic University is a helpful study, as is Calvert-Minor 2011.…”