Virtual Inquiry in an Authentic Classroom

• In Event: Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: Engagement, Inquiry, and Community in Immersive Learning Environments

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to analyze a new computer-based authentic inquiry learning approach to assess its impact on student learning and attitudes towards science within a large university ecology classroom. The program, Virtual Ecological Inquiry (VEI), is an authentic web-based inquiry project that allows students to create avatars and conduct research inside the digitized Wolong Nature Reserve within the Second-Life platform. Students’ attitudes towards science and learning outcomes have been measured and compared to a similar project. The control group in this study participated in a similar, previously developed web-based inquiry project called BearCam. Results show that VEI is a successful inquiry project.

Authors

• Stephanie L. Knight, The Pennsylvania State University

• Aubree M. Webb, The Pennsylvania State University

• X. Ben Wu, Texas A&M University

• Melisa Jill Ziegler, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

• Jane Schielack, Texas A&M University