MUVEing slowly

Applying slow pedagogy to a scenario-based virtual environment

Abstract

This paper presents the research theory and design of a work in progress that investigates how the application of slow pedagogy can be applied to an ICT rich educative environment. More specifically, the research will focus on an inquiry learning strategy within a scenario-based multi-user virtual environment and will evaluate the impact of such a strategy in terms of student interaction and engagement with a complex inquiry problem. The research proposes that by applying the philosophies of slow to the learning experience and permitting students to explore a problem space, without the rigid structure normally encountered in inquiry learning, that students will not only be more motivated and engaged, but the result will be the acquisition of a greater depth of knowledge and the procurement of transferable inquiry skills.