This is an announcement from my Email Inbox about a free webinar sponsored by the Association for Educational Communications & Technology‘s Graduate Students division.  I encourage everyone to sign up soon at https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=47yspb9bj2mi

AECT’s GSA is back with another intellectually stimulating webinar on Designing Inquiry-based Virtual Environments presented by the leading designers in the field. Please read the attached flyer for registration and other details.  This webinar will allow you to attend the conference without having to use the dail-up option. All you will need is a computer access and a headset or earphone.  Seats are limited.

Virtual learning environments are abound and offer unique challenges and design opportunities.

Please join Dr. Susan Pedersen, Associate Professor in the Educational Technology program at the Texas A&M University and Dr. Diane Jass Ketelhut, Associate Professor of Science Education at the University of Maryland-College Park to discuss the Design of Virtual Learning Environments that supports science inquiry.

Dr. Pedersen’s research interests lie in the use of virtual environments and games to engage K-12 learners in student-centered learning approaches, such as problem-based learning and student-directed inquiry. She will discuss her current project, the VEL science project, and demonstrate one module from that project: Rigglefish, a virtual environment for teaching genetics to middle school students.

Dr. Ketelhut’s research interests center on scientific inquiry, specifically looking at the effects of using emerging technologies for curriculum and assessment on student learning, self-efficacy, and engagement in science and a science career. She will share her experience in designing virtual environments called River City as well as her current project of designing multi-user virtual environment called SAVE Science, which is a game-based assessment system of science learning for middle school students.