Share Paper: The Art and Science of Virtual World-Building: Educational Technology as a Medium for Researcher-Teacher Collaboration

1. Michael Connell, Institute for Knowledge Design, LLC, United States

Abstract: People speak of learning as a “journey.” Recent learning research suggests how we can formalize this notion of a “knowledge space,” creating new ways to think about curriculum design and delivery to maximize learning. Technologies such as microworlds and intelligent tutoring systems provide powerful learning opportunities in particular kinds of knowledge spaces but typically do not give teachers authorial control over the knowledge space itself. I propose expanding teachers’ role from that of straight technology consumer to that of co-author. This would give teachers new ways to apply their teaching expertise as well as new professional development opportunities. I briefly ...