Preparing a case for the effectiveness of 3D virtual worlds in electronic learning: giving education a second life

The potential of 3D virtual worlds to introduce a new educational medium which can serve all types of learning as well as enhance the experience of both the instructor and learner appropriate to the 21st century classroom has been recognised and explored in previous studies. While participants report enjoyment and even improved learning outcomes, it is unclear what role the technology has played in achieving these benefits. Furthermore, e-learning, with its many forms, has been criticized due to the inability of the technology to provide the means which allows e-learning to become an equivalent alternative to traditional face-to-face learning particularly in terms of effectiveness and quality. The proposed study will examine explore these issues by assessing new alternatives, namely the use of Second Life, to traditional face-to-face education.