Design Process of Three-Dimensional Multi-User Virtual Environments (3D MUVEs) for Teaching Tree Species

Abstract

This study aims to realize the concept of biodiversity, which is one of the subjects covered by environmental education, with 3D virtual worlds platform and to realize the biological richness of users in their environment and to provide awareness of the species they see in their immediate surroundings. It is aimed to design 3D MUVE to teach tree species to pre-service teachers within framework of Instructional design process in 3D MUVEs based on problem-based learning approach. Four different design groups are third year undergraduate students (N=21) from the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology in the Faculty of Education at a large state university. For design process, participants with collaborative work designed 3D environments with a problem-based learning approach. The design process of 3D MUVEs was realized with the participation of researchers as trainers, guides, technical support personnel, and observers during the 16 weeks within the scope of the course. Also, participants were involved in the role of both learner and instructional designer.