NAU Virtual Classroom 1

Running head: CREATING A VIRTUAL CLASSROOM FOR NAU’S ED TECH PROGRAM

Creating a Virtual Classroom for NAU’s Educational Technology Program

Dallas McPheeters

NAU Graduate School of Education

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Abstract

NAU enjoys a reputation for being on the forefront of distance education technology. However,

advanced trends in technology have led hundreds of Universities to investigate multi-user virtual

environments (MUVEs). Constructivist learning strategies fit well within 3D virtual classrooms

where students manipulate their Avatars and construct objects collaboratively. NAU does not yet

offer courses in a 3D MUVE. This paper outlines a course to be designed and taught within

Second Life, the most popular MUVE used by Universities. Virtual courses enable the highest

and best use of resources by offering greater flexibility to more students. Virtual technologies

save time and money while offering students greater varieties of learning experiences. This paper

explores the enhanced instructional strategies available in 3D MUVEs.

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Creating a Virtual Classroom for NAU’s Ed. Tech. Program

Brick and mortar schools are increasingly challenged by the globally networked world.

The past four decades have witnessed the emergence of a connected society that transcends

traditional notions of time and space. Yet educational institutions continue to design instructional

strategies based on a century-old paradigm. Entrenched in the past, many schools view

technological innovations as plug-ins to be added to existing frameworks. Piece-meal reforms

are too commonplace when real systemic changes are actually needed. Are we teaching 21st

century skills using 19th century practices and platforms?

Rationale

The time for systemic change has come. Educators must retool their thinking and

practices to meet the burgeoning demand of a virtually connected world. Barriers between live,

distance, and virtual classrooms must be torn down. The hard technology is here. The soft

technology must be integrated. The next step is to create a virtual classroom for NAU in which to

discover, explore, and practice the new paradigm.

Statement of the Problem

NAU has a reputation for being cutting-edge among higher education institutions offering

distance education opportunities. However, over one hundred leading Universities around the

world already have virtual campuses offering everything from registration and enrollment to

actual courses that can be taken virtually. NAU’s education department wants to train the next

generation of educational technology leaders. Yet without offering such a platform in which to

learn, the goal of educating technology leaders is difficult if not impossible to achieve.
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The National Education Technology Standards (NETS) for teachers, administrators and

students require the ability to collaborate at a distance using the latest technologies as shown in

Figure 1. NAU educational technology graduate students cannot meet these standards without at

the very least, implementing a virtual classroom in which to conduct some training. Speaking to

other students and professors about this project has yielded only positive and enthusiastic

affirmations confirming the value of creating a virtual platform in which to learn and interact

with others.

Wants Needs

Virtual Classroom Environment for NETS-S std#2 requires: “Students use

students. digital media and environments to
communicate and work collaboratively,
including at a distance, to support individual
learning and contribute to the learning of
others.”

Virtual Research Platform for Educators NETS-T std#1 requires: “technology to

and Graduate students. facilitate experiences that advance student
learning, creativity, and innovation in both
face-to-face and virtual environments.”

Complete technology platform in which NETS-A std#5 requires: “model and

to teach & learn cutting-edge facilitate the development of a shared cultural
technologies for NAU. understanding and involvement in global
issues through the use of contemporary
communication and collaboration tools.”

Figure 1: National Education Technology Standards (NETS) for administrators, teachers,

and students used in the NAU MUVE creation project.

Cursory research of educators already participating in 3D MUVEs such as Second Life

gleans the typical response of, “Why didn’t we do this earlier?” and, “Why isn’t everyone doing

this?” Of course, desire alone is no justification for the time and expense required to achieve the
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goals of this project. However, enough research has been conducted already to justify the

educational benefits (http://jvwresearch.org). Additionally, the current economic climate and the

monetary benefits to both institutions and individuals is sufficient evidence of the need. Finally,

several technology assessment surveys validate the demand for this project.

Evidence

Three technology needs assessments have been conducted during the past two years

(Appendix B). The first assessment focused on K-5 Teachers within the TUSD school district

(n=14) and sought to uncover experience, attitudes and expectations with regard to technology in

their school and classroom. The K-5 Teachers ssessment can be viewed online here: http://

spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pKWliWwbbBomN5TWL5n9tfw.

The second technology assessment was directed at the ETC community within NAU

(n=14) and focused on experience with and interest in 3D virtual worlds such as Second Life.

The use of GoogleDocs to gather data is simple and results can be readily graphed and viewed as

the data is gathered. The ETC assessment may be viewed online here: http://

spreadsheets.google.com/gform?

key=0AobIkfSron3IdFB3VzFxQUNqajgxbFRlU2gxV3Vybmc&hl=en&gridId=0#chart

The third technology assessment was recently conducted at the Phoenix School of Law

and included both faculty and students (n=735). The purpose was to discover experience levels

among all cohorts of faculty and students to determine if any discrepancy existed between school

technology goals and student expectations. These three technology assessment surveys have

shown a consistent gap between teacher experience and attitude and the stated technology

standards under which they operate. The gap consists of teachers’ inexperience with new
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technologies and fear or hesitation to learn the new technologies. This gap can be eliminated by

targeted professional development that engages teachers in a contextually-authentic and

technology-rich environment that combines ample peer interaction in order to maximize

constructivist learning opportunities.

! Questions for these technology assessments were designed according to NOAA’s

guidelines which aim to “Identify existing degree of knowledge, skills, and the attitudinal

characteristics surrounding [this] particular issue or topical area.” Additionally, we wanted to

uncover “motivations and conditions that contribute to an individual’s degree of interest in [the]

issue and ability to access or purchase the final product or training course.” Finally, the surveys

attempted to “solicit opinions about content, functionality, etc. in order to draw participants into

the design process, and build interest and active participation in the product, service, or

training” (NOAA, 2009).

Solution

Creating a virtual

classroom inside the Second

Life MUVE grid will give

NAU’s educational

technology students a viable

platform in which to

experiment with the

affordances of the new

Figure 2: Affordances of emerging technologies retrieved from
paradigm (Figure 2). Virtual
the University of Manitoba http://ltc.umanitoba.ca/wikis/etl/
index.php/Tools
classroom space allows
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students and teachers to explore the new environment and hone their constructivist learning skills

within a virtual world (Srivastava, 2009; Wagner, 2008). Increased understanding of the issues

surrounding new paradigms of community and identity will result and participants will be better

equipped to impart these valuable lessons to others (McPheeters, 2009).

Setting, Target Participants/Learners/Audience

This virtual classroom project will take place inside the 3D virtual world known as

Second Life. Within Second Life, a classroom has been established specifically for this project

and is located on Sloodle Island. The project will comprise five lessons that combine virtual

face-to-face, synchronous classtime as well as self-directed assignments to be completed in a

self-paced manner both individually and in groups. The assignments can be done both

synchronously and/or asynchronously depending on the allowance of participants’ time

schedules. Participants will need computer access that includes high-speed Internet bandwidth.

The entire unit is conducted using the Second Life virtual world platform.

Participant volunteers will be chosen from among existing teachers and graduate students

who wish to take part. No prior experience in Second Life is required. The only prerequisite

understanding needed is to be able to use a computer that is connected to the Internet and open

the Second Life application. Because real-time, synchronous voice-chat will be enabled, newbies

can be walked-through necessary steps gently in order to prepare for assignments. One of the

main benefits of this exercise is the group dynamics and dialogues that result from so many

participating in such a new environment. The self and group reflections should prove fertile

ground for new knowledge construction.

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Because of the extreme newness of the 3D virtual environment as a learning platform,

any of the education related stakeholders would benefit from being involved in this project

whether student, adminstrator, or parent. The issues to be explored affect all the stakeholders and

education as an institution stands to benefit by their involvement.

Project Goal and Learner Objectives

The primary goal of the virtual classroom project is to provide the platform needed to

expand NAU’s educational technology learning strategies to include cutting-edge innovations

that facilitate the best in distance learning and collaboration options. Second Life offers a model

well suited to developing shared constructivist learning experiences within a globally multi-

cultural environment. Learners within virtual learning environments such as Second Life

discover creative outlets previously unavailable in either the face-to-face (f2f) classroom or the

traditional distance learning classroom. Genuine social presence is created in the virtual learning

environment. A Second Life classroom is as close to the f2f classroom as it gets yet with many

advantages that extend beyond real life.

For example, Avatars can fly, create valuable content through building, record their

experiences, and cover the globe beyond traditional space-time barriers. Language barriers are

overcome with automatic translation in text chat mode. Identity barriers experienced by self-

conscious participants are eliminated by the inherent protection of the Avatar facade. Wheel-

chair bound persons can walk and fly while others can experience what it’s like to be restricted to

a wheel chair. The elimination of so many barriers enhances the learner’s engagement and

subsequent assimilation of new material. All learning styles (Baird & Fisher, 2005) whether

visual, spatial, kinetic, or auditory, are accommodated with ease. Likewise, people with different
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learning styles – also labeled multiple intelligences (Moran, Kornhaber, & Gardner, 2006) – will

find learning opportunities through the increased variety of, and greater access to, virtual

activities inside Second Life and its counterparts.

Participant Learning Objectives

The tasks outlined below will teach and strengthen the participants according to the

NETS standards on which we are focused in this project (figure 1), as follows:

• Learn to use contemporary communication and collaboration tools (NETS-A std#5)

• Learn innovative technology tools to facilitate student creativity (NETS-T std#1)

• Learn first-hand the strengths and weaknesses of virtual learning environments (NETS-

T std#1)

• Learn about public attitudes toward new technologies and future trends (NETS-A std#5)

• Learn cutting edge tools for distance learning (NETS-T std#1)

• Learn how VLEs can enhance constructivist approaches in course development (NETS-

A std#5)

• Learn the importance of connectivism within VLEs (NETS-S std#2)

Five scaffolded, capacity-building stages to fulfill the NETS standards noted above, will

be introduced to the participants as follows:

1. Introduction to the Virtual Learning Environment (NETS-A std#5)

• Register for a free Second Life account

• Create and modify Avatar

• Learn about navigation and communication in virtual worlds

• Participate in virtual quiz to earn points

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2. Participate in a virtual field-trip (NETS-T std#1)

• Search for themed destination of interest to participant

• Visit and gather information about destination

• Take snap-shot showing Avatar inside the destination

• Record virtual blog adding snap-shot

• Return to virtual classroom and present report to classmates

3. Build a virtual classroom (NETS-A std#5)

• Create a Sloodle set virtual classroom

• Configure the Sloodle set to tie into Moodle’s Learning Management System

• Design a virtual poll to offer classmates using the Sloodle Choice tool

4. Collaborate within a virtual lesson plan (NETS-S std#2)

• Learn about Futurology, the science of trend foresight

• Take a quiz to determine what is already known about historic views of

technological innovations

• Conduct a virtual interview about another’s experiences of new technology

• Take a snap-shot of the person being interviewed and upload to the Sloodle

Presenter board

• Build a kiosk to display results

5. Engage in a virtual assessment of self and peers (NETS-S std#2)

• Retrieve a virtual notecard with self-assessment questions to answer via virtual

blog regarding overall experience of VLE

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• Create a notecard to evaluate peers’ presentations and submit using the Sloodle

Prim Drop tool

• Group fireside chat and free T-shirts to all participants completes the course

Instructional Design Model

Since the beginning of time, empirical knowledge has been the base of instruction

(Anglin, 1991). However, in the 19th century, Behaviorism become a bona fide science and

America witnessed the birth of large scale public education to meet the need of an increasingly

industrializing nation. Instructional design (ID), focusing on external motivators such as rewards

and punishment, came alongside the advent of this new public platform for learning. Rigid, top-

down, hierarchical models of instruction were developed to teach and train America’s students

and workers.

Change – in the way of variety – emerged with the development of cognitive learning

theory. New ideas about how we learn prompted new models of how we should instruct with a

new focus on the learner added to instructional design models. Prior, skill and task centered

development were based on lecture, practice, and rote memory. However, cognitive learning

theory introduced the possibility that people learn in different ways that are individually

contextual. Therefore, instruction had to address these differences. Nevertheless, the parts vs.

process orientation of ID remained central and further change was still needed.

With the dawn of the information age, a paradigm shift from the old standardized

instructional designs to a more customized approach began to unfold. Bureaucratic organization

gave way to team-based collaboration (Reigeluth, 1999). And parts centered instruction gave

way to process centered design with the learner playing an equally important role in the learning
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process as that which needed to be learned. A cascade of ID models followed this paradigm shift

as educators struggled to refine and optimize instruction. One such model that arrived on the

scene is the P.I.E. model (Figure 3) authored by Tim Newby, Don Stepich, Jim Lehman, & Jim

Russel, themselves educators of high standing. The letters of the PIE model stand for Plan,

Implement, and Evaluate (Newby, et. al., 2000). It was designed to aid classroom oriented

instruction, allowing a good deal of flexibility on behalf of instructors using the model in unit

and lesson planning. Additionally, it allowed easy integration of technology. I chose the

classroom-oriented PIE model for it’s

simplicity and simple interface with

technology since my focus is on using

technology to teach technological

innovation to all ages, from Kinder through

Adult learners. My goal is to use a 3D

virtual environment to carry this out and

therefore, a classroom-oriented model is Figure 3: The Newby, Stepich, Lehman

and Russell (2000) PIE model.
appropriate. The PIE model works best for

the Second Life project because a virtual

classroom will be created in which activites will be carried out and evaluated. The image below

(Figure 4) taken from Gustafson & Branch, (2002, p. 34), illustrates the nuances of class-oriented

models versus other design models. Since the proposed project outlined in this paper is not

centered on a product or a system, the PIE model becomes the best choice for instructional

design.
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Figure 4: A taxonomy of instructional development models based on selected

characteristics (Gustafson & Branch, 2002, p. 34).

The three phases of the P.I.E. design model pictured above (Figure 4) – planning,

implementation, and evaluation – may be further explained and detailed as follows. The planning

phase includes such questions as, “What should students be able to do after instruction? What are

the indicators that learning has occurred? What do students already know? What meaningful

tasks will facilitate student learning?” Questions to ask during the implementation phase include,

“Do students have the materials they need to learn? What additional information do students

need to learn? What resources should be brought into the learning environment?” Finally, the

evaluation stage asks, “What did the students learn? What obstacles did the students experience?

How can student learning be improved? How can teaching be improved?”

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Adapting for use in developing web-based instruction

Developing web-based instruction is ideally tailored to the PIE model for the very reason

that it is flexible and easily adaptable by teachers for all types of unit and lesson plans. By

customizing the answers to the phase-specific questions already listed above, instructors could

personalize the learning experience to a very fine and detailed degree. My interest in 3D virtual

classroom environments makes PIE even more appealing (pun intended) as it is face-to-face (via

Avatars), heuristic, and individually focused to meet each learner’s needs. The authors designed

this model expressly for the integration of technology into curricula and therefore I find the PIE

model ideal for online instruction design.

Instructional Strategies

“Learning is promoted when learners engage in a a task-centered instructional

strategy” (Merrill, 2002).

Sequencing of participant objectives is purposefully chosen based on an audience of

education department graduate students and instructors. A similar approach to undergraduate

students would be reversed, beginning with the performance objectives targeting student NETS

and progressing toward teacher NETS and culminating with administrator NETS. However, this

project will begin with administrator NETS and continue in the opposite direction of what is

described above. The audience of participants dictates a sequence of instruction that matches real

world experience.

The 3D MUVE offers a highly interactive, web-based lesson delivery platform.

Therefore, the delivery strategy is “A group-paced approach” (Morrison, Ross, & Kemp, 2007, p.

146) which is typical with classroom practice. Learners are expected to generate connections

between what they already know and the new information they glean from the MUVE
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experience. Wittrock (1989) terms this process generative learning. Lebow (1994) linked this

generative process to constructivist principles.

Constructivist strategies include observation and application (Morrison, Ross, & Kemp,

2007) which are key components of MUVE experiences. To this, the project adds Jonassen’s

(1988) elaboration strategy where learners add their own ideas (elaborate) on new information

being learned. Overall attitudes of learners are expected to be positively reinforced by such

strategies which is a primary indicator of success in this project. Creating a new platform for

instruction is commendable but only if participants are enthused. Finally, Johnson & Aragon

(2003) argue that strategies that promote collaboration and social negotiation, multiple

perspectives, exploration, and self-directed learning provide the strongest support for

constructivist learning.

Diverse Learner Strategies

The seven universal design principles (Centre for Universal Design, 2008) will guide the

instructional design of NAU’s Second Life courses. This means courses will be equitable to

diverse users; flexible to a wide range of preferences and abilities; simple and intuitive to use;

rich in perceptible information; tolerant of uses not intended in the design; require low or easily

accommodated physical effort; and appropriate in the size and use of space. As responsible

digital citizens, NAU’s designing of courses according to principles that are easily duplicated,

makes them a more cost effective approach to expanding educational demands (W3C, 2009).

A major benefit to Second Life as a 3D MUVE platform for NAU’s education department

programs, is the abundant research and development of universal design applications being

incorporated within. Undisputed is the benefit of 3D MUVEs for physically challenged

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individuals such as wheelchair bound. Second Life Avatars are able to walk, run, dance, and even

fly! Hearing impaired individuals can use sight and text chat to communicate. However, a major

disadvantage to computer-based learning has been felt by the sight impaired. This is now being

accommodated in Second Life by an experimental seeing eye dog Avatar named Max, by which

sight impaired individuals can be led around the MUVE. The dog interacts with objects and

Avatars to relate via speech, what is encountered. Innovations like these are making 3D MUVEs

increasingly accessible and equally useful to a broadening range of industries.

For the NAU project, the objective and goal is to introduce a new platform for learning

and solicit participant feedback with regard to instructional design within 3D MUVEs.

Therefore, universal design already built into the platform will be part of the learning experience

along with discussion of innovations yet to be introduced.

The course design represented in this project includes an introductory class where

features of the platform itself will be explained. Choices between text chat and voice chat can be

made by participants according to their preference and need. Additionally, language learners can

use the built in translation tool within the Second Life interface to ease communication

challenges. Multi-cultural participants are encouraged to design their Avatar to represent

themselves as detailed as they like. However, participants are not limited to self-representation

but can also choose a custom identity whether differing in gender, race, or even non-human,

mythological, inanimate, whatever. The course fieldtrip destinations are the choice of

participants and include many culturally diverse regions in Second Life. For example, Wheelies

Island was created as a social networking hub to accommodate wheel-chair bound and other

physically challenged individuals. The Smithsonian Institute’s Latin wing is recreated in Second
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Life and can be explored to learn about the Latin culture. Nevertheless, it is assumed that

participants will have accommodated any personal psychomotor needs already with regard to

keyboards, monitors, and speakers. Introduction to the course will explain the hard technology

needs required to enroll.

Project Evaluation: Assessment Instrument, Data Collection, and Analysis

Each of the five classes outlined in this project will contain feedback looping (Reigeluth,

1999) mechanisms in order to confirm chosen strategies are meeting project goals. According to

Reigeluth (1999), continuous feedback helps detect as well as prevent cognitive overload. Three

authentic assessment strategies (Gustafson & Branch, 2002; Nelson & Erlandson, 2007) will be

used including self reflection, peer-to-peer evaluation, and project portfolio of completed tasks.

Evaluation will occur on many levels beginning with the data gathered from the technology

needs assessment (Appendix B). This needs assessment data will be compared to participant

response gathered during the final step 5 of the participant learner objectives listed above.

Similar to an exit poll or casual interview, step 5 of the participant learner objectives will fulfill

both the peer-to-peer evaluation as well as the self-evaluation portion of our Rubric. Traditional

assessment strategies would not be relevant to a VLE project and therefore, will not be included

(Jarmon, Traphagan, Mayrath, & Trivedi, 2009). Traditional assessment tools such as exams and

quizzes could confirm participant understanding of particular tasks performed within Second

Life however the goal of this project is to provide a virtual learning environment. Second Life

offers the “platform of choice” (Warburton, 2009, p.3) out of more than 40 virtual world grids in

which this can be accomplished. However, since such platforms are in the emerging stage of

related technology innovations, focus for this project will be on the constructivist learning
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objectives rather than learning mere platform specific tasks. The goal of this project is to extend

NAU’s campus to the virtual world, wherever that may lead. It is participant experience within

the soft technology of VLEs that will be evaluated rather than specific knowledge of hard

technology offered by a particular virtual platform.

Project Evaluation Plan

Whether or not participants achieved the learning objectives from the implementation of

this project will be primarily evaluated by collateral materials added to each participant’s final

portfolio. However, we must bear in mind that the goal is not the activities themselves but the

experience of performing the activities in a 3D virtual world and any changes in attitude that

come as a result of participation therein. It is useful to recall that this project focuses on the need

for teachers to be confident using cutting-edge technologies and comfortable navigating within

the latest technology arenas. The use of appropriate constructivist strategies to accomplish the

assigned tasks will be self-evident and part of the discussion occuring during each class.

Therefore, the self and peer evaluations will focus more on participant attitudes expressed in the

activities. Collateral materials will include quiz participation results, snapshots collected and

presented to classmates, and oral presentations made inside the virtual class setting.

It should be noted here that quiz participation will not focus on what a learner knows but

rather on the experience of taking a quiz within a virtual learning environment that ties into a

web-based grade book. Again, it is the soft technology experience that is being taught rather than

particular hard technology tasks. The unique experience of the quiz chair (Figure 5) as presented

in Second Life is that it is sight and sound-rich and involves group interaction as well as
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individual participation. Each participant takes a seat in a quiz chair. Everyone can see each other

Figure 5: Sloodle Quiz Chair is audio-visually interactive and group collaborative for an ideal
constructivist learning experience.

in the virtual world. However, questions are presented to each participant on their own computer

screen. As each selects an answer, the chair either remains stationary (for a wrong answer) or

rises a few feet off the ground. The rising action is combined with a pleasant chiming sound that

all participants can hear. Therefore the sounds within the classroom coupled with the visual

rising action of quiz chairs and their participants, creates a very interactive experience. Those

who feel competitive may make a race out of the experience and work faster at getting the

correct answers. In other words, the quiz experience within a virtual environment is much more
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feature-rich and multiple-intellegence friendly and engaging. It is this unique experience that will

become part of the project evaluation rather than the quiz content itself.

A mixed method design will be applied to overall course evaluation. Both peer and self

evaluations will be based on the NAU VLE rubric (Appendix C). Each participant will evaluate

their own performance as well as each of their group members’ performance using the same

rubric. This ensures an added degree of honest feedback since each will be completed privately

and turned in virtually. Results will be compared to the initial surveys modeled after the

research-based bank of questions from Appendix B to determine overall success of the project in

meeting its goals. Additional support of the findings will come via a Post-project survey

(Appendix C).

The NAU VLE rubric data will be gathered at the last class. The rubric will be accessed

by participants as a scripted notecard within Second Life. Each participant will complete as

many notecards as they are given (one for each participant) and when completed, participants

will place their assessments in the Prim drop box accessible only to the instructor. Averages of

the quantitative rubric scores will be posted to the Moodle grade book online where each

participant can login to view how they did.

As a final close to the project as well as a final qualitative evaluation measure,

brainstorming ideas will be solicited from participants concerning how they might use such a

virtual classroom in the future. If course objectives and learner standards are met, it is expected

that participants will express many ideas and enthused attitudes about the new VLE platform.

Recording of this brainstorming session will be made available online to authenticate the value
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of the project. Such qualitative data will be used to determine what changes should be made to

the VLE for future use and possible expansion into other curricula.

The primary goal of the virtual classroom project is to provide the platform needed to

expand NAU’s educational technology learning strategies to include cutting-edge innovations

that facilitate the best in distance learning and collaboration options. The data gathered will be

used to determine whether this goal was met or if not, what changes could be made to refine the

project for future research.

The project is classroom based and focused albeit in a virtual setting. Activities are based

on constructivist learning theory and sequenced to target the particular NETS aimed at

administrators, teachers, and students within a highly constructivist setting. Therefore, authentic

evaluation methods are appropriate to assess the value of the virtual platform as it compares with

traditional, live classroom settings. It is hypothesized that participant attitudes and enthusiasm

for the new platform will be increased which would be evident from the rubric scores as

compared to initial survey. It is also hypothesized that the final fireside chat would yield

substantive arguments in favor of the new platform as evidenced by the brainstorming of

innovative ideas for applying other curricula to virtual worlds.

If either or both of the hypotheses are proven wrong, the project would have to be re-

evaluated to determine if the platform was the issue or the instructional design. Either possibility

should be accounted for or discounted by the feedback generated throughout the course since

continual feedback and discourse is a strength of virtual learning environments as noted by

Gunawardena & McIsaac, “Virtual reality combines the power of computer generated graphics
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with the computer’s ability to monitor massive data inflows in real time to create an enclosed

man/machine interactive feedback loop” (2004, p.372).

Capstone Project Timeline (Appendix D)

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Morrison, G. R., Ross, S. M., & Kemp, J. E. (2007). Designing effective instruction (5th edition).

Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center (n.d.). Needs

assessment training. Retrieve July 7, 2009 from http://www.csc.noaa.gov/needs/.

Nelson, B., & Erlandson, B. (2008). Managing cognitive load in educational multi-user virtual

environments: Reflection on design practice. Educational Technology Research &

Development, 56(5), 619-641.

 NAU Virtual Classroom 25

Newby, T., Stepich, D., Lehman, J., & Russel, J. (2000). Educational technology for teaching

and learning. Columbus: Merrill Books, Inc.

Reigeluth, C. M. (1999). What is instructional-design theory and how is it changing? In

Reigeluth, C. M. (Ed.), Instructional-design theories and models: A new paradigm of

instructional theory (Volume II) (pp. 5-29). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates,

Publishers.

Srivastava, J., et al. (2009) Analyzing Virtual Worlds: Next Step in the Evolution of Social

Science Research. Presented at the American Association for the Advancement of

Science.

Thereaux, O. (2002, June, 24). Making your website valid: a step-by-step guide - W3C QA.

Retrieved February 10, 2010, from http://www.w3.org/QA/2002/09/Step-by-step

Wagner, M,. (2008) Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games as constructivist learning

environments in K-12 education: A Delphi study. Doctoral thesis. Retrieved November

12, 2008 from: http://edtechlife.com/?page_id=2008.

Warburton, S. (2009, May). Second Life in higher education: Assessing the potential for and the

barriers to deploying virtual worlds in learning and teaching. British Journal of

Educational Technology, 40(3), 414-426. Retrieved July 20, 2009, doi:10.1111/j.

1467-8535.2009.00952.x
 NAU Virtual Classroom 26

Appendix A – Project Concept Map

Creating a Multi-User Virtual Environment for NAU's

Educational Technology Program
Rationale
Problem
NAU needs a 3D Virtual Platform in which to teach if graduates are to meet NET
Standards.
Evidence
NAU does not have a presence in a 3D MUVE. Survey demonstrates high interest.
Solution
Capstone project will build classroom and conduct a demonstration class.
Project Goal & Learner Objectives
NETS
National Educational Technology Standards S2, T1, A5
Instructional Design Model
P.I.E.
Plan, Implement, Evaluate
Instructional Strategies
Constructivist
Observation, Application, Elaboration, Reflection
Diverse Learner Strategies - Universal Design Principles
Project Evaluation
Assess
Pre & Post- Survey, Informal Discussion, Peer Evaluation, Rubric
Analysis
Data/
Survey, Project Portfolio, Discussions
 NAU Virtual Classroom 27

Appendix B

Needs Assessment Questions Bank Model

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEFXaVhaNkVPMUpYTW5PaF9KYTM1bVE6MA..

Experience with Technology Questionnaire - NAU

Participation in this study is voluntary and confidential. The questionnaire should take

less than 15 minutes to complete.

Your responses to this questionnaire, along with the responses of other staff and students,

will help us assess the needs for further technology developments at the University. In advance,

thank you.

(This Questionnaire available under Creative Commons license (attribution-non-

commercial-no derivative).

http://www.netgen.unimelb.edu.au/investigation/questionnaires.html

Reference: Kennedy, G., Dalgarno, B., Gray, K., Judd, T., Waycott, J., Bennett, S.,

Maton, K., Krause, K., Bishop, A., Chang, R. & Churchward, A. (2007). The net generation are

not big users of Web 2.0 technologies: Preliminary findings. In R. Atkinson, C. Mcbeath, A.

Soong Swee Kit & C. Cheers (Eds.) Proceedings of ASCILITE Singapore 2007: ICT: Providing

Choices for Learners and Learning. (pp. 517-525). Australia: ASCILITE.

1.0 Background Information

With which University dept. / Grade level are you most commonly associated? *
What is your position? *

(Professor, Lecturer, Teacher, Admin, Student, Tutor, etc.)

In what discipline / grade do you do most of your teaching/learning? *

(Education, Psychology, Technology, Economics, Chemistry, etc.)

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What was your average load in this discipline area, in this semester? *

(Hours per week)

What is your age bracket? *

20-25


26-30


31-35


36-40


41-50


60+

Sex? *

Female


Male

2.0 Access to Technology

Please indicate your access to computers at home and work/school.

Do you have access to a DESKTOP computer?

At Home, Yes.


At Home, No.


At Work, Yes.


At Work, No.

Please indicate your access to computers at home and work/school.

Do you have access to a LAPTOP/NOTEBOOK computer?

At Home, Yes.


At Home, No.


At Work, Yes.


At Work, No.

Please indicate whether you own the following technologies.

Electronic Organizer (PDA, Palm, PocketPC)


MP3 Player withOUT video capabilities


MP3 Player WITH video capabilities


Memory Stick (flash drive, USB, thumb drive)


Mobile phone withOUT camera, MP3 player or video


Mobile phone WITH a camera but NO MP3 player or video


Mobile phone with Camera and MP3 player but NO video


Video capable mobile phone
 NAU Virtual Classroom 29

Please indicate whether you have the following in your home.

Dedicated video game console (e.g. Xbox, Playstation, etc.)


Web cam


Dial-up Internet Access


Broadband (cable / DSL) internet access


Wireless internet access

3.0 Technologies to Assist Students' Learning

Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements

ranked on a Likert scale of 1 to 5 with 1 indicating you strongly disagree with the statement and

5 indicating you strongly agree with the statement. Use 3 to indicate you are Neutral concerning

the statement.

I want students to use technology in their studies because it...

Will help them get better results in their subjects

Will help them understand the subject material more deeply
Makes completing work in their subjects more convenient for them
Will improve their IT / information management skills in general
Will improve their career or employment prospects in the long term
4.0 Use of Technology

Below is a list of different ways in which information and communication technologies

can be used.

Please indicate:

1. How OFTEN, on average, you have used technology in each way over the past year.

And...

2. How SKILLED you are at using technology in each way. LEAVE BLANK if not used

at all.
 NAU Virtual Classroom 30

Use a computer to manage or manipulate digital photos (e.g. using iPhoto, Dig.
Image)

How Often... Several times a day

Once a day


Several times a week


Once a week


Once / twice a month


Every few months


Once / twice a year



Same question: Use a computer to manage or manipulate digital photos

How Skilled on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being Not Skilled and 5 being Very Skilled.

Use a computer for creating presentations (e.g. PowerPoint)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a computer for creating or editing audio and video (e.g. iMovie, Movie Maker)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a computer to play digital music files (e.g. iTunes) without accessing the internet

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a computer to play games

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a games console to play games

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the internet/web or a LAN to play networked games

 NAU Virtual Classroom 31

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a handheld computer (e.g. a PDA) as a personal organizer (e.g. diary, address
book)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to access a portal, 'Course or Learning Management System'

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to look up reference information for study purposes (e.g. online
dictionaries)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to browse for general information for study purposes (e.g. news, travel,
events)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to listen to sound reordings (e.g. via streaming audio or iTunes)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web for other pastimes (i.e. for leisure activities)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to buy or sell things (e.g. eBay, Amazon, air tickets)

How Often...
 NAU Virtual Classroom 32

How Skilled...

Use the web for other services (i.e. banking, paying bills)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web/internet to send or receive email (e.g. Hotmail, Yahoo, Outlook)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web/internet for instant messaging/chat (e.g. MSN, Yahoo, ICQ)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to build and maintain a website

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use social networking software on the web (e.g. Myspace, Facebook, Ning)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use social bookmarking software on the web (e.g. del.icio.us, Diigo)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to download podcasts (e.g. using Juice, iTunes)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to publish podcasts (e.g. using Podifier, Podcaster, PodProducer,
Garageband)

How Often...
 NAU Virtual Classroom 33

How Skilled...

Use the web to download and/or share MP3 files (e.g. music, videos)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to share photographs or other digital material (e.g. Picasa, Flickr)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to make phone calls (e.g. VoIP using Skype)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web for webconferencing (e.g. using a webcam with Skype, elluminate,
WebEx)

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to read RSS feeds

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to keep your own blog or microblog such as Twitter

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to read other people's blogs or vlogs

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to comment on blogs or vlogs

 NAU Virtual Classroom 34

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use the web to contribute to the development of a wiki

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a mobile phone to call people

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a mobile phone to text / SMS people

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a mobile phone to take digital photos or movies

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a mobile phone to send pictures or movies to other people

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a mobile phone to make video calls

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a mobile phone as an MP3 player

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a mobile phone as a personal organizer

How Often...
 NAU Virtual Classroom 35

How Skilled...

Use a mobile phone to access information / services on the web

How Often...

How Skilled...

Use a mobile phone to send or receive email

How Often...

How Skilled...

6.0 Student Success in your Subject

Please rate how important each item is for students' success in the discipline area in

which you spend most of your time at school.

How important to students' success is...

Skills, techniques and specialist knowledge?

How important to students' success is...

Natural-born talent?

How important to students' success is...

Taste, judgement or a developed 'feel' for it?

7.0 Technologies to Assist Teaching and Learning

Please indicate which of the following technologies you currently use in your classes

(Whether student or instructor)

PowerPoint Presentations


Email


Discussion lists/online forums


A classroom or subject web site


A class/course twitter feed


A class/course bookmarking hashtag system


Interactive Multimedia/CD-ROMs


Digital videos in lectures (e.g. Quicktime)


A Learning Management System (e.g. BlackBoard, Vista)
 NAU Virtual Classroom 36

MP3s and/or audio recordings


Online Assessment Submission


Online self-tests/quizzes


Audience response system (clickers)


Online Collaboration (e.g. GoogleDocs, Elluminate)


Virtual Learning Environment (e.g. Second Life, Quest Atlantis)

Below is a list of different technology-based activities that could be used in teaching and learning.

For each item please indicate: 1. Whether or not you CURRENTLY USE these

technology-based activities...

And... 2. How USEFUL each technology-based activity would be in supporting student learning (regardless of
whether you currently use it).

Note: You can also indicate that a particular technology is NOT RELEVANT or you DON'T KNOW enough about
the technology to respond.

Even if you don't use the technology, please indicate how useful you consider it to be.

Ask students to design and build web pages as part of course requirements (e.g. using

Dreamweaver, Kompozer, etc) (Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate

your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Ask students to create and present multimedia shows as part of their course

requirements (e.g. PowerPoint) (Remember, even if you don't use the technology above,

indicate your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful
 NAU Virtual Classroom 37

Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Ask students to create and present audio/video as part of their course requirements

(i.e. iMovie, Movie Maker) (Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate

your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Allow students to download or access online audio/video recordings of class lectures

(Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate your opinion of its

usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Allow students to download or access online audio/video recordings of

supplementary content material (Remember, even if you don't use the technology above,

indicate your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant
 NAU Virtual Classroom 38

Ask students to use instant messaging / chat (e.g. MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Skype) to

communicate/collaborate with each other (Remember, even if you don't use the technology

above, indicate your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Ask students to use instant messaging / chat to communicate with Lecturers and

administrative staff from the course (Remember, even if you don't use the technology above,

indicate your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Ask students to use social networking software (e.g. Facebook, Ning) to

communicate/collaborate with each other in the course (Remember, even if you don't use the

technology above, indicate your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant
 NAU Virtual Classroom 39

Ask students to use the web to share digital files related to their course (e.g. sharing

photos, audio files, movies, digital documents, websites, etc.) (Remember, even if you don't

use the technology above, indicate your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Ask students to use webconferencing or video chat to communicate/collaborate with

each other in the course (Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate your

opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Provide students with alerts about course information (e.g. timetable changes, the
release of new learning resources, changes in assessment) via RSS feeds on the web

(Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Ask students to keep their own blog as part of their course requirements (Remember,

even if you don't use the technology above, indicate your opinion of its usefulness)
 NAU Virtual Classroom 40

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Ask students to contribute to another blog as part of their course requirements

(Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Ask students to follow and/or contribute to microblogging services such as Twitter

(Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Ask students to contribute with other students to the development of a wiki as part

of their course requirements (Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate

your opinion of its usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant
 NAU Virtual Classroom 41

Provide students with pre-class discussion questions via text message on their mobile

phones (Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate your opinion of its

usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Provide students with administrative information about the course via text message
on their mobile phones (e.g. timetable or assessment changes, info on new learning

resources) (Remember, even if you don't use the technology above, indicate your opinion of its

usefulness)

I currently use


I do not use


I don't think this activity is useful


I'm neutral about the usefulness of this activity


I find this activity very useful


Don't know enough about this technology to respond


Not relevant

Please list any other technologies or technology-based activities that you use as a
student or instructor.
Thank you!

If you want to be notified when the results are complete, please email

dallasm12@gmail.com with "Technology Questionnaire Results" in the subject line.

 NAU Virtual Classroom 42

Appendix C

Data Collection Instruments

Pre-project surveys were modeled after that shown in Appendix B. Post-project survey is

shown below followed by the rubric that will be used to evaluate the participant interactions.

Professional Development Exit Questionnaire

Name: _____________________(optional) Position Title/Role: __________________________

District/School/: __________________________________________ Date: ________________

To what degree do you agree with the Rate the item using the scale below
items below?
5 4 3 2 1
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Not
Agree Disagree Applicable
The staff development:

1. was of high quality

2. was timely

3. was relevant to my needs

4. format and structure facilitated my

learning

5. enhanced my understanding of how to

augment learning in a virtual
environment

6. enhanced my understanding of the

issues involved in virtual learning
platforms

7. helped me gain new information and

skills

8. will assist me in becoming a better-

informed teacher

9. provided important resources for me

10. will assist me in designing future

lesson plans

11. will assist my school/district/ or me

to create improved learning
environments

12. met my expectations

Continued below...
 NAU Virtual Classroom 43

How will you use what you have learned?

What was the most useful part of this staff development? Why?

What was the least useful part of this staff development? Why?

What additional training/support do you need?

Participation Rubric
 NAU Virtual Classroom 44

Appendix D