proposed+sabbatical+project

Title: //Enhancing Professional Learning Through Multi User Virtual Environments// __Summary__ Multi User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) are a relatively new technology used for commerce, social interaction, entertainment, and education. The purpose of this project is to investigate the use of MUVEs for supporting formal and informal professional learning. In collaboration with a team of scholars, I will investigate the educational use of Second Life, a current exemplar of a MUVE. This year long project will result in improved educational resources for the EDFL Department, several revised syllabi, a national conference presentation and scholarly journal article, as well as a proposal for an edited volume on professional learning in Second Life.  The purpose of this sabbatical project is to conduct research which will examine the opportunities and barriers in the use of MUVEs for formal and informal professional learning of educators. My proposal for a 2009-2010 sabbatical is aligned with my Faculty Growth Plan in the areas of teaching and scholarship. Please see my curriculum vita and faculty growth plan for detailed information about my work to date in these areas. The purpose of this project is to investigate the use of MUVEs for the purpose of supporting formal and informal professional learning. Specific research questions include: My specific goals for this project include:
 * 1) What are current understandings of best practice in the use of Second Life for educational purposes?
 * 2) How have graduate professional students accepted the use of Second Life for informal and formal learning?
 * 3) To what extent is cross-institutional collaboration for teaching and scholarship supported through the use of Second Life?
 * 4) What are the specific barriers and contributors to the successful implementation and deployment of MUVEs for use in professional learning opportunities?
 * 1) To continue my involvement in focused learning communities in Second Life.
 * 2) To develop a team of between six and ten collaborating scholars, focused on informal and formal professional learning in Second Life. The team’s work will include both research and development of educational resources.
 * 3) To collect, compile, and analyze data on informal and formal professional learning within Second Life which relate to my specific research questions.
 * 4) To engage in a conversation with teacher education faculty at George Fox and other related institutions to explore joint teaching and learning opportunities within Second Life.
 * 5) To submit a journal article and make a presentation at a national conference based on the results of my research.
 * 6) To revise the EDFL 675: Christians in the Networked World and EDFL 625: Technology in the Classroom II courses to better inform masters and doctoral students about the opportunities for professional learning within Second Life.
 * 7) To propose an edited book to an academic publisher on formal and informal professional learning in Second Life, in collaboration with a group of colleagues.