For example, a Geology student could monitor equipment on an erupting volcano, a Biology student could study a population of animals in their natural habitat, a Psychology student could experience a clinical ethical dilemma, or a Chemical Engineering student could be asked to design a new production facility at an oil refinery. Virtual Arts Environments Virtual worlds can be created in any time and any place. For example, a History student could negotiate the Treaty of Versailles, an English student could work as an editor for a Victorian magazine, a Sociology student studying child poverty could design government social programs, or a Fine Art student could authenticate a work of art. In this learning environment, a business student, company or government employee could attend meetings, read documents, operate equipment, access computers, or view an assembly line, all from the comfort of their computer. For example, an Accounting student could conduct an on-site audit, a Finance student could purchase a major capital asset, a Labour Relations student could negotiate a union contract, a Marketing student could negotiate a sales contract, or an Operations Management student could implement a quality control program.
Students create cognitive maps of information based on their experiences.
Contextualizing content supports the mapping process, making concepts more concrete, thus facilitating understanding, recall and the integration of knowledge. Let me illustrate with an example. Even after using application type review questions, the depth of understanding is typically at the level of the textbook. In the Thirst for Knowledge VLE students must gather information about competitors and then determine how this information specifically affects their recommendation. When students are asked about competitive analysis in the debriefing session following the VLE, a lengthy discussion ensues encompassing all the types of competitive information, sources of information, the ethics involved in information collection and use, and how the quality of information can affect the decision-making process.