Using Multi User Virtual Environments for Professional Development of Parent Educators
Abstract: This professional project involving the use of a Multiuser Virtual Environment was designed to create new a new and engaging way to provide professional development training for parent educators. A review of the literature found that using a Multi User Virtual Environment can be an effective way to bring learners together across vast distances to learn and actively engage them in problem solving. In using a social constructivist approach, learners can explore and learn about how commonly held beliefs may be challenged in regard to cultural and ethnic differences. While vastly explored in educational settings, there are limited examples of MUVE’s being used in human service work. To address this shortcoming, this project was aimed at using an MUVE to bring learners together to explore learning about the Protective Factors Framework.