Using virtual worlds in the delivery of visual arts education

for preservice teachers.

Lisa Jacka

Southern Cross University

lisa.jacka@scu.edu.au

lis Ruby in SL

Context

• Southern Cross University– RL - Northern NSW (Lismore, Coffs Harbour and

Tweed Heads)– SL - Interaction Island

• Students– Graduate Diploma in Education– BVA/BEd double degree– Curriculum Specialisation Visual Arts (internal)

Interaction Island

• Designed to replicate the RL campus• No initial designated space for Visual Art

Education• Tutorials in the

sandbox• Visits to other

Islands

Machinima

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are needed to see this picture.

Converged Delivery

• Redeveloped CS Unit to a blended mode.– Face to face– Independent study via website– Meeting in Second Life

• 3 campuses with 1 tutor

Student Outcomes

Assessment task • Art Gallery visit, Artist Talk and Exhibition Application• 5 Art Trails

VeGeTal PLaNeT (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Coral%20Springs/242/188/21)

Utopia Island 1 (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Utopia01/151/13/22).

Teaching and Learning in Virtual Worlds

Traditional teaching strategies– Direct Instruction– Discussion– Small Group work– Co-operative Learning– Problem Solving– Students Research– Role Play– Writing

Research is emerging that advocates looking for new models of teaching and learning for a virtual world (Ryan 2008, Peachey, 2010, Knapp and O’Driscoll, 2010).

Primtings Museum. Becoming Marat

Potential for Visual Art Education

• Visually immersive environment• Ability to create and display work • Simulated Galleries/Art Works

– Sistine Chapel, Bayeux Tapestry, Primtings Museum

• Role Play– Historical environments (van Gogh’s Village)– Classroom practice (Australis4Learning)

• Distance Education– Creating learning communities– Connecting beyond the classroom– Connecting classrooms

Student Feedback

“There are so many positives in regards to offering this course through Second Life…. I feel that this class has encouraged us to think outside the box and to get out of our comfort zone to explore other ways of investigating art.  Using Second Life is an experience that allows us to be enveloped by a surrounding environment creating an atmosphere of emersion rather than reception of an image external to the viewer.” (student feedback via email)

SCU students in the sandbox

Sistine Chapel

Arles - Van Gogh Sim

Bayeux Tapestry

Criss Museum of Contemporary Art

Australis4LearningClassroom Sim

SCU Art Studio and Gallery