Future workshop method

The future workshop method teaches students basic knowledge about a specific topic, allows for critical thinking and incorporates how to design future solutions for real world problems. Together with ChancePartout we implemented the future workshop method in our learning module EnergyMatters, for teaching students how different energy forms impact our climate. The key challenge in this teaching style is that teachers must let go of some control, to become mentors that facilitate student to student learning. Teachers facilitate in class group work to have students think critically about what they have learned in the virtual world learning module, while its the role of tech savvy students to answer other students questions on using the virtual world viewer and navigating the learning module.   

Inclusion of students with social barriers for learning

In a 3D virtual world students play a role called an avatar and this allows students to play a different role, than they normally would. Playing an avatar is helpful for inclusion of students in social learning activities, even though they have social barriers for learning in the real world.

Social games can be included in the virtual world, and the students have to collaborate with their peers and communicate using the chat function in the virtual world. This makes the virtual world a dynamic new learning space outside the borders of the standard classroom as a supplement learning tool.

Flipped learning

Flipped learning has been common on universities since 2007, but are also used for younger students today. Students watch a video, read books or explore a virtual world before they come to class and use the time in class to reflect on what they have learned, assisted by a teacher who should inspire students to critical thinking.

Blended learning

Blended learning has been common on universities since 2010, they combine e-learning, online group discussions and self study, where you often track student progress in a learning management system.

Universities often use free learning management system like Moodle. There is a Moodle OpenSimulator integration called Sloodle.

There are many good Learning Management Systems in use today, at the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark, they have shared some of their experience with the CanvasLMS system called CBSCanvas.

In Denmark the state just developed their own platform for primary schools to share learning material, student progress and communication with parents, but we would have been better off using a free tool like Edmodo.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)

Since 2012 a new trend has become common on universities, because fewer people in America can afford an higher education, there was a need for making courses available only for a bigger audience. One example is Coursera and another is EdX. But you can find more information on the MOOC list.

Challenge based learning

The Challange based learning style focus on student motivation by focussing on topics relevant to each student and their community.