Virtual Aerospace Center of Excellence Workshop NASA Langley Research Center

1. Virtual Aerospace Center of Excellence Workshop NASA Langley Research Center April 30 – May 1, 2009 Education – The Results Greg Selby, Old Dominion University

2. We considered the four suggested Breakout Issues

3. Breakout Session Question #1 • If unlimited funds were available, what key capabilities would you recommend be included in a Virtual Aerospace Center of Excellence (VACE) that would make it a true working laboratory capable of supporting education?

4. Question #1 - Responses • Open access to a virtual world in which students design experiments and explore features in order to manipulate variables and discover STEM and other subject material • Desirable to have data models/data types compatible between virtual world platforms • Availability of all required hardware to have a effective and reliable virtual world • VACE resources to be internationally available – open access

5. Question #1 – Responses, Cont’d • Real-world problems/challenges (design and other types) would be generated and posted and mentors would be provided by NASA, as appropriate • Problems/challenges would be connected to SOL’s (Virginia) and national learning objectives • Problems/challenges would have an interactive feature, allowing participants to receive feedback, modify input, and investigate consequences

6. Question #1 – Responses, Cont’d • Resources would be easily accessible and readily affordable for target audience • Supporting software would be available at no cost or minimum cost to participating school systems and other educational entities • Appropriate training would be provided to teachers and facilitators, including classes and workshops – consideration of fostering a culture change may be necessary to promote participation

7. Question #1 – Responses, Cont’d • VACE Team to develop courses/content that support K-12/K-20 instruction • Include elementary, secondary, post-secondary teachers/instructors as team members • Design tools made readily available, e.g., simulation and modeling software – space probe/vehicle trajectory simulations • Game technology emphasized in developing educational software

8. Question #1 – Responses, Cont’d • VACE Team to develop courses/content that support K-12/K-20 instruction, cont’d • Incorporate features that promote the independent development of virtual world content by students • Content to be multidisciplinary in nature • Emphasis to be placed on the development of STEM materials • VACE educational resources would be aggressively promoted for use by remote school districts for obvious benefit

9. Question #1 – Responses, Cont’d • VACE Team to develop courses/content that support K-12/K-20 instruction, cont’d • Connect to NSF and other depositories of software/ simulations and provide navigation assistance • Provide incentives for students to participate; e.g., VACE Scholars Program

10. Breakout Session Question #2 • What attributes of existing virtual environments foster education?

11. Question #2 - Responses • Pertaining primarily to SL (Second Life) • Age-appropriate material is featured • Software designers/users (teachers)/ facilitators can control level of interaction for students

12. Question #2 – Responses, cont’d • Pertaining primarily to SL (Second Life) • Platforms interest student audience • Visually attractive • Students immersion in programming with embedded tutoring • Interactivity emphasized • Feedback/assessment/immediate evaluation feature that is embedded and informal

13. Question #2 – Responses, cont’d • Pertaining primarily to SL (Second Life) • Platforms interest student audience • Open-endedness of exploration process appealing (considering consequences of choices enhances critical-thinking skills) • Social interactions with peer groups appealing due partially to inhibitions being diminished • Opportunity for Virtual Science Fairs

14. Question #2 – Responses, cont’d • Pertaining primarily to SL (Second Life) • Non-traditional approaches to problem solutions featured • Participants help create fulfilling experiences • Potential to have a “token economy”

15. Breakout Session Question #3 • What do you believe are the limitations of existing virtual environments relative to enabling education? • Technological Limitations • Social Limitations • Limitations on Human Perception or Cognition

16. Question #3 - Responses • Content not always appropriate for student audiences • Lack of thorough evaluation of knowledge gained • Time available to teachers to efficiently utilize Virtual World technology is not sufficient due to normal daily responsibilities

17. Question #3 – Responses, cont’d • Ownership of content created may be a deterrent to participation • Bandwidth and infrastructure problems • Lack of parent access and oversight

18. Question #3 – Responses, cont’d • Insufficient control of content; e.g., commercial entities may monopolize certain aspects of VWs • Expectations may not completely match Real World experiences

19. Breakout Session Question #4 • What is required to build the key capabilities needed by a VACE?

20. Question #4 - Responses • Collaboration among stakeholders • Dedicated building/facility • Continuous funding source • Consistent updating of technology

21. Question #4 – Responses, cont’d • Remediation for learners • Team projects • Concentration on career interests where appropriate and also opportunity for teaching across disciplines

22. Conclusions • A VACE will be beneficial for all educational stakeholders • Students will be the major beneficiaries • Strong recommendation to proceed in a timely manner