Metaverse and 3D Virtual Worlds

The participants of the course are invited to participate in practice based exploration and design activities throughout the sessions. Exchange of best practices as well as the group presentation of the collaboratively designed tasks on 3D VWs that aim to develop different skills at varying levels will be among the requirements of the course. The participants might find it useful to read some of the below listed reading material before joining the training as well:

• Thomas, M. & Schneider, C. (2018) Language Learning with Machinima: Video Production in 3D Immersive Environments. In: Teaching English reflectively with technology. IATEFL, Canterbury, UK. ISBN 978- 1-901095-86-9
• Koehler, M. J., Mishra, P., Bouck, E. C., DeSchryver, M., Kereluik, K., Shin, T. S., & Wolf, L. G. (2011). Deepplay: Developing TPACK for 21st century teachers. International Journal of Learning Technology, 6(2), 146-163.
• Keskitalo, T., Pyykkö, E. & H. Roukamo (2011). Exploring the meaningful Learning of Students in Second Life. Educational Technology & Society. 14(1), s.16-26
• Kluge, S. & L. Riley (2008). Teaching in Virtual Worlds: Opportunities and Chanllanges. Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology. Volume 5, s. 127-135
• Salmon, G. (2009). The Future for (Second) Life and Learning. British Journal of Educational Technology. Volume 40, No 3, s. 526-538
• Sanders R.L. & L. McKeown (2008). Promoting Reflection through Action Learning in a 3D Virtual World. International Journal of Social Sciences. Volume 2 Number 1, s. 50-55
• Warburton, S. (2009). Second Life in higher education: Assessing potential for and the barriers to deploying virtual worlds in learning and teaching. British Journal of Educational Technology. 40 (3), 414–426.

Metaverse and 3D Virtual Worlds promise an innovative pedagogical frame for teachers as it engages the language learners in purposeful, problem-oriented, and outcome-driven environment that is comparable to real-world. Acting with the assumption that real, meaningful communication is essential for learning in order to improve our students, 3D VWs and Metaverse promote the planning, design and assessment of practice through meaningful tasks. Compared to the previously used exercises and activities in teaching, 3D VWs tasks stimulate genuine interaction, bear a meaningful purpose to fulfill; are more cognitively demanding and easily adaptable to experiential learning for students who are acting in the form of Avatars. Hence, an effective design and implementation of tasks is doomed to result in improved student engagement, motivation and attainment– a win-win for both students and teachers.

This course allows participants to get to know, experiment and practice Metaverse and 3D Virtual Worlds with a practical focus on the most innovative aspects of learning tasks- in a safe and truly international learning environment, through discussing and sharing best practices with fellow teachers and education staff from across Europe. With its highly interactive and practice-based structure, the course aims to provide concrete examples, ideas and tools to inspire and support educators in their lesson planning and task design in 3 Dimensional Virtual Worlds and Metaverse.

The training takes on a highly practical and participative perspective with hands-on approach that comprises an experience of 3D Virtual Worlds and Metaverse, an examination of real task samples, design of learning tasks and collaborative thinking/evaluation routines. We embrace collaboratively working methods that foster mutual learning and cooperation among participants. The focus of the training is on learning in an interactive and international environment applying knowledge of tasks and task design to the real contexts and/or in the classroom. A wide array of pedagogical methods based upon experiential training, group and peer activities, learning-by-doing and best practices’ exchange are employed throughout the course.

This course aims to provide teachers, education staff and language practitioners with the much needed know-how to design and implement language learning tasks in the classroom

Therefore, upon successful completion of the course, the participants will be able to:

Get acquainted with the main components and tenets of 3 Dimensional Virtual Worlds and Metaverse to teaching;

• Identify, evaluate and apply different types of tasks for varying levels, skills and interests of learners
• Learn how to design, prepare and deliver interactive learning tasks addressing divergent groups of learners by making use of 3D VWs task design elements;
• Learn how to engage students and motivate them to establish effective collaboration and develop problem solving skills through the use of 3D VWs and Metaverse;
• Construct and integrate tasks into their own teaching;
• Exchange good practices and discuss challenges with fellow colleagues and the course trainers.

The participants will be required to develop and share their own lesson scenarios, to be followed by a structured feedback session. Additionally, given a chance to network with individuals and organizations working in the education field in Europe through everyday cooperation and team-building activities, the participants might further their practice on 3D VWs by extended experience sharing sessions.

This standard indicative daily programme might be personalized on participants’ needs and professional profiles. Networking, preparation and team build up activities to be located on the first day; and follow up, specific needs and cultural activities on the last day.

Istanbul University – Cerrahpaşa Continuing Education Center

Date	Course Times	Course Content
Day1		3D Virtual Worlds and Metaverse Course Introduction Team building exercises Needs and expectations evaluation The Rationale for Using 3D VWs and Metaverse in and out the Classroom Group works and plenary discussion on how the most common challenges that participants are facing with their learners
Day2		Introducing 3D VWs and Metaverse Familiarizing with the virtual worlds and avatar design Classroom Implications of the 3D VWs and Metaverse: Exploring Best Practices Producing an Information Sheet on Tasks in 3D VWs and Metaverse
Day3		3D VWs and Metaverse in Action: Designing Multi-modal Tasks for the Classroom Practicing, designing and delivering tasks for multiple skills Practical group work and exercise Writing an action plan for your school to use 3D VWs and Metaverse in your school practice
Day4		Integrating 3D VWs and Metaverse Tasks into your Curriculum & Practice Strategies and tools to apply 3D VWs and Metaverse. Designing a task cycle towards a specified teaching point and implementing/ sharing with participants (P2P learning session)

Program Coordinator 

Instructors 

5 – 15 participants

Digital certificate.

Face to Face or Distance Education

You can choose one of the following payment methods EFT and Credit Card.

P.S:***The course fees are to be made to the Halk Bank IBAN number or Account Number above with the following information: Recipient name: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa Surekli Egitim Merkezi In the Explanation Section: Be sure to write your Name-Surname and Course Name. You should send the Payment Receipt to sem@iuc.edu.tr.