Fully+immersive+environments

Fully Immersive Environments According to net pedagogy portal an immersive environment:is an artificial, interactive, computer-created scene or "world" within which a user can immerse themselves. It is almost like virtual reality although only difference is that the environment does not need to be real it can be a fantasy interface. The use of Fully immersive environments for educational purposes is increasing second life: go to an island which talks a certain language as their native language. || There are many distractions so even if students may be on they might be doing something else other than learning. || second life: actually explore the pyramids or blast off into space with NASA || It may be time consuming to learn- not only for teachers but also for students. || Examples: Second life Gamestar mechanic Atlantis remixed and quest of atlantis : Here is an introductory/promotional video about it: media type="youtube" key="Yw5obKKTsjs" width="425" height="350" [] Here is the link to the website
 * **__Advantages [[image:stupid_thumbs_up.jpg align="right"]]__** || **__Disadvantages__**[[image:ib2012-itgs/stupid_thumbs_down.jpg width="52" height="56" align="right"]] ||
 * Has capabilities beyond the everyday teaching environment second life :(taking trips into virtual organs). || You need internet; high speed internet so that everything loads qucikly and you do not have to wait or a lot of time will be wasted. ||
 * Language learning practice (reading,writing)
 * More interesting than a normal environment (e.g. history,science)
 * Cut costs in the long run as you only need to pay for the hardware and program once unlike needing to constantly buy books,copybooks,papers,etc.. || Reliability- if your computers or microphones and speakers are not working then the immersive environment may not be effective. ||
 * Second life; you can see if the student is not participating if they leave their mouse or keyboard for a few minutes their avatar slumps forward and sleeps. || Addiction- students can get addicted to these games and they can stay all day playing them and eventually become anti-social. ||
 * Enviromentaly friendly as no paper is used. || Security- as it is on the internet pranks and spamming can occur which can disturb the learning environment. ||
 * Interactive as not only do the students participate but features such as java and videos can be used. || Privacy- hacking can also occur; hackers can intercept a lesson being taught although it may not be very serious as information taught is not private sometimes important things may be discussed as Internal assessments,exams,etc.. ||

Here is a video by a man called Robert J torres a senior program offcicer at the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation talking about Atlantis remixed and educational video games: media type="youtube" key="ahYeJ5LmnXI" height="315" width="560"

Here is an example of a school which uses immersive learning environments for educational purposes: []

Another video of an environment used for kids to teach them math: media type="youtube" key="UxUZIHAJ2H4" height="315" width="420" Another example of one which is used in nursing schools: media type="youtube" key="4HCV6zHKzj4" height="315" width="420"