Teaching Health Care in Virtual Space is the first "how-to" manual for
health educators on the instructional use of three-dimensional,
computer-generated virtual environments that can be inhabited
simultaneously by many participants; commonly called "multi-user virtual
learning environments" or MUVE. Based on her experience supervising more
than 400 learning activities in Second Life(R)--as of 2014, the largest
public (free) MUVE--Dr. Estelle Codier has written a step-by-step
handbook for novice and experienced MUVE teachers alike. The book
provides those new to virtual teaching with specific steps to assess
their own instructional readiness, guidance for assessing student and
class readiness, as well as detailed descriptions of problem prevention
and solutions. The text is accompanied by lively case studies of both
success and failure in virtual learning environments. Inspiring stories
of student learning illustrate the power of MUVE to transform health
care education.
This innovative handbook presents an extended discussion of the
pedagogical advantages for learning in multi-user virtual environments,
along with a history of learning in Second Life(R). The text includes an
appendix of supporting materials for MUVE learning activities:
evaluation grids, grading matrices, syllabus descriptions, and detailed
orientation materials for both faculty and students. While the sample
learning activities were designed for nurses, instructors in other
disciplines could easily adapt them for use in any MUVE setting.
