Phil Bertulfo
Associate Director for Distance Learning, Medical Education,
University of Illinois Chicago
A virtual world is an immersive online environment whose "residents" are avatars representing individuals who participate through the Internet. Many institutions are experimenting with virtual worlds for educational purposes, allowing students to interact with peers, visit "distant" locations, or develop their own learning environments. They may foster constructivist learning by placing students in a context that challenges them to learn without explicit learning objectives and assessment. This session will provide an introduction to virtual environments and potential uses.