Journal 2

"Real-Life Migrants on the MUVE" by Ross Perkins & Cathy Arreguin

Since the late 1970’s, Multi-user virtual environments (MUVE) have existed. These are programs that use animated characters and can build virtual world, which they control. Today, these virtual worlds are moving into our classrooms. Dozens of colleges and universities use these programs to teach both traditional and distance learning. High school and middle school educators are starting to focus on the Teen grid, which is designed for 13-17 year old students. The Linden Lab has approved these. Linden Lab is the creator if MUVE and has generated a great deal in the recent months of media attention. Educators are implementing these virtual worlds for their students and revising curriculum to include experiences on the MUVE. Some of these examples include: Constructing a time line about events of WWII, creating Ellis Island (complete with a museum and even a math lesson on geometry), Peer tutoring, and reenactments for history or works of fiction. Users can build virtually anything and change it to any 3-D look or size they want. Students use a great deal of creativity, research and communication. Another group of students MUVE is affecting positively is students with disabilities. The virtual environment helps them focus their attention leading to better retention and performance. There is all different kind of tools to use that appeal to a broad spectrum of the student’s intelligences. Using MUVE is our classrooms today are a great way to help build on our student’s passions and educate them on the world around us. They use different skills to think critically about their projects and have endless possibilities to create their own virtual worlds.

How could I implement this in my 4th grade classroom?

I could introduce MUVE to them and give examples of how this could take our lessons and integrate them into a virtual world. I think this age group might be too young to actively involve them. But, I could get them thinking about technology as a learning tool. Technology is only going to get more advanced and more complicated. If these 4th graders get a head start now they will excel in any class that involves technology.

How can I get this program into my school?

Before discussing bring MUVE into my school I would research all costs, and time it would take to educator teachers to learn the program. Most classrooms already have a computer but not nearly enough to accommodate the whole class. Constructing a time line and how I would incorporate this into my curriculum. I would do all the research about how these programs benefit students. This way I could answer all questions and concerns the principal might have. I would make clear the importance of incorporating this program into our school.