title: Using avatars and virtual environments in learning: What do they have to offer?

authors: Falloon, Garry

subjects: education

abstract: This paper explores and discusses arguments for the use of virtual environments and interactive avatars in supporting the achievement of student learning goals within conventional educational contexts. It describes and evaluates arguments promoted by some authors (eg, van den Brekel, 2007; Deuchar & Nodder, 2003; Dickey, 2003; Facer, 2004; de Freitas, 2006; de Freitas & Oliver, 2006; Garris, Ahlers & Driskell, 2002; JISC, 2007; Martino, 2007; Prensky, 2004; Prensky, 2007) relating to advantages from gaming and avatar use, ranging from enhanced engagement in learning activities, through to more purposeful and focussed communication, and, when used in group situations, better cooperation and collaboration between students. It explores the potential of avatar environments to act as powerful communication mediums for students to display knowledge and understanding, and engage in the development of 'higher order thinking skills, such as interpreting, analysing, evaluating, synthesising and solving complex problems'.
It also introduces and discusses the avatar-based authoring program MARVIN, and identifies potential for its use as a digital storytelling tool to assist students in communicating outcomes from units of learning, and in supporting the development of a range of key learning competencies identified in the New Zealand Curriculum Framework (Ministry of Education, 2007). It profiles a successful example of the classroom-based use of MARVIN within a community project undertaken by groups of year 7 and 8 students at two Hamilton intermediate schools, and identifies how the program supported student thinking and relating to others key competencies (Ministry of Education, 2007).

text: Using avatars and virtual environments in learning: What do they have to offer? This paper explores and discusses arguments for the use of virtual environments and interactive avatars in supporting the achievement of student learning goals within conventional educational contexts. It describes and evaluates arguments promoted by some authors (eg, van den Brekel, 2007; Deuchar & Nodder, 2003; Dickey, 2003; Facer, 2004; de Freitas, 2006; de Freitas & Oliver, 2006; Garris, Ahlers & Driskell, 2002; JISC, 2007; Martino, 2007; Prensky, 2004; Prensky, 2007) relating to advantages from gaming and avatar use, ranging from enhanced engagement in learning activities, through to more purposeful and focussed communication, and, when used in group situations, better cooperation and collaboration between students. It explores the potential of avatar environments to act as powerful communication mediums for students to display knowledge and understanding, and engage in the development of 'higher order thinking skills, such as interpreting, analysing, evaluating, synthesising and solving complex problems'.
It also introduces and discusses the avatar-based authoring program MARVIN, and identifies potential for its use as a digital storytelling tool to assist students in communicating outcomes from units of learning, and in supporting the development of a range of key learning competencies identified in the New Zealand Curriculum Framework (Ministry of Education, 2007). It profiles a successful example of the classroom-based use of MARVIN within a community project undertaken by groups of year 7 and 8 students at two Hamilton intermediate schools, and identifies how the program supported student thinking and relating to others key competencies (Ministry of Education, 2007).

year: 2009

title: A General and a suggested economic appraisal of rapid transit in Auckland - 1970 (with particular reference to a cost-benefit analysis)

authors: Douglas, Rhys Kenneth

abstract: The Auckland urban area's transportation needs have been the subject of much discussion and investigation in recent years. The Auckland Rapid Rail Symposium of August, 1969 was typical of this state of affairs. Partly as a consequence of this symposium , investigations as to the feasibility of a rapid transit system (specifically rapid rail transit) were re-opened after a lapse of approximately six years had not seen any positive action to implement the recommendations contained in the De Leuw Cather report , “A Regional Transit Plan”. The Minister of Finance, R. D. Muldoon, stipulated in his opening address to the symposium that a prior condition for Government financial assistance in respect to the capital cost of a transit system, was that a cost-benefit analysis should be undertaken in conjunction with the technical and planning investigations. At the same symposium, J. T. Ward presented a paper suggesting broad guidelines and an indication of the approach that would be appropriate to such an economic analysis.

text: A General and a suggested economic appraisal of rapid transit in Auckland - 1970 (with particular reference to a cost-benefit analysis) The Auckland urban area's transportation needs have been the subject of much discussion and investigation in recent years. The Auckland Rapid Rail Symposium of August, 1969 was typical of this state of affairs. Partly as a consequence of this symposium , investigations as to the feasibility of a rapid transit system (specifically rapid rail transit) were re-opened after a lapse of approximately six years had not seen any positive action to implement the recommendations contained in the De Leuw Cather report , “A Regional Transit Plan”. The Minister of Finance, R. D. Muldoon, stipulated in his opening address to the symposium that a prior condition for Government financial assistance in respect to the capital cost of a transit system, was that a cost-benefit analysis should be undertaken in conjunction with the technical and planning investigations. At the same symposium, J. T. Ward presented a paper suggesting broad guidelines and an indication of the approach that would be appropriate to such an economic analysis.

year: 1971

title: Paremias xeocosmolóxicas de predición do tempo en galego e maorí (Geocosmologic paroemias of weather prediction in Galician and Maori)

authors: Lopez-Fernandez, Laura

abstract: This comparative study collects phraseological units -dictons- (Rodegem 1984 e Sevilla Muñoz 1988; 1992) related to the semantic field of weather forecast from two cultures, which have not been in contact, and which are located in the antipodes of the planet: Galician and Maori. The methodology used utilizes a diachronic analysis (although not diastratic), of geocosmological proverbs, that can be or not in use nowadays, which include dictons about atmospheric phenomena, observation of the stars and star lore, and weather forecast through observation of animals, especially birds. The dictons collected in Maori do not come from informants but from the few books and digital sources available at the moment and this represents only a fragment of their traditional oral culture, thought and legacy of the different iwis. The collected dictons in Galician have been collected from a variety of digital corpus and resources.

text: Paremias xeocosmolóxicas de predición do tempo en galego e maorí (Geocosmologic paroemias of weather prediction in Galician and Maori) This comparative study collects phraseological units -dictons- (Rodegem 1984 e Sevilla Muñoz 1988; 1992) related to the semantic field of weather forecast from two cultures, which have not been in contact, and which are located in the antipodes of the planet: Galician and Maori. The methodology used utilizes a diachronic analysis (although not diastratic), of geocosmological proverbs, that can be or not in use nowadays, which include dictons about atmospheric phenomena, observation of the stars and star lore, and weather forecast through observation of animals, especially birds. The dictons collected in Maori do not come from informants but from the few books and digital sources available at the moment and this represents only a fragment of their traditional oral culture, thought and legacy of the different iwis. The collected dictons in Galician have been collected from a variety of digital corpus and resources.

year: 2015