Can ICT support inclusion?: evidence from multi-user edutainment experiences based on 3D worlds

ABSTRACT

Can ICT support inclusion? This paper presents some evidence collected during a 6-years experience with educational programs based on multi-user virtual worlds, involving more than 9,000 students from 20 different countries across 3 continents. Eloquent anecdotes, supported by quantitative data, tell us that, under some conditions, ICTs can be a powerful tool to involve disaffected students, raise interest, promote socialization and trigger important changes of attitude.

REFERENCES

• 1: Nicoletta Di Blas , Caterina Poggi, European virtual classrooms: building effective “virtual” educational experiences, Virtual Reality, v.11 n.2, p.129-143, June 2007 [doi>10.1007/s10055-006-0060-4]
• 2: Paolini, P., and Di Blas, N. Multi-User Virtual Environments for Education: A European Experience. Proc. E-Learn 06, AACE Press (2006), 1383--1394.
• 3: Di Blas, N., Paolini, P., and Poggi, C. A Virtual Museum where Students can Learn. In L. Tan Wee Hin & R. Subramaniam (eds.), E-learning and Virtual Science Centers, Idea Group, USA (2005), 308--326.
• 4: Learning@Europe site: www.learningateurope.net
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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education

Keywords:
multi-users virtual worlds, social inclusion