Stephen W. Harmon

Virtual Reality Training Environments: Contexts and Concerns

Abstract Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly developing medium for training, entertainment and education. As yet little research exists into the efficacy of VR systems. Because of the current high cost of VR training systems, careful consideration should be given to their use. This article will discuss contexts where VR might be appropriate, present advantages and disadvantages of VR as a training technology, and present a case study of a VR training environment, used at the NASA Johnson Space Center in preparation for the repair of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Preservice Teachers Experience Reading Response Pedagogy in a Multi-User Virtual Environment

Abstract This qualitative case study describes how 18 preservice teachers learned to nurture literary meaning-making via activities based on Louise Rosenblatts Reader Response Theory within a multi-user virtual environment (MUVE). Participants re-created and responded to scenes from selected works of childrens literature in Second Life as a way to investigate reader response pedagogy in question. We found that, consistent with Harris, Mishra, and Koehlers (2009) TPACK activity types, these preservice teachers were able to learn about a technology integration activity within the context of building English Language Arts (ELA) pedagogical content knowledge.

A unique design for high-impact safety and awareness training

The authors were asked to design and develop a large-scale, web-based learning environment that would effectively assist international aid workers in conducting their daily tasks in the field, at home and in the office in a safer and more secure fashion. The design, development and dissemination of the training needed to be done quickly, inclusively and on a broad scale. This article describes related analysis, design and development, and in doing so illustrates the adoption and use of a unique, blended design approach.