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Learning Child Development Through Immersion in Ill-Structured Problems Using a Virtual Environment

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Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN 2018)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 840))

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Abstract

Preservice teachers have a difficult time bridging theory and practice, particularly when some course work is theory intense, like Child and Human Development. Proponents of clinical practice and field experiences for teacher candidates suggest that more practice in real world contexts is essential to learning to become a teacher. These are not always available, and sometimes, alternatives need to be considered. This paper describes the design and implementation of a learning experience that provides one alternative. What is proposed is an approach to problem-based learning that utilizes ill-structured problems set in a virtual environment designed to simulate a real school. Justification for the design include contextually based simulations from Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Model of Human Development, and relevant constructs found in the literature on problem based learning, ill-structured problems, and the use of multi-user virtual environments. Lessons learned from the first iteration include design updates and instructional considerations for strengthening the bridge from theory to practice.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, 78539, USA

    Leticia De León

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  1. Leticia De León
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Correspondence to Leticia De León .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

    Dennis Beck

  2. University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom

    Colin Allison

  3. Universidade Aberta, Coimbra, Portugal

    Leonel Morgado

  4. Institute for Information System and Computer System, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria

    Johanna Pirker

  5. School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom

    Anasol Peña-Rios

  6. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

    Todd Ogle

  7. Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Montana, USA

    Jonathon Richter

  8. Institute for Information System and Computer System, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria

    Christian Gütl

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De León, L. (2018). Learning Child Development Through Immersion in Ill-Structured Problems Using a Virtual Environment. In: Beck, D., et al. Immersive Learning Research Network. iLRN 2018. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 840. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93596-6_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93596-6_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-93595-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-93596-6

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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