SGER: Communities of Evolving Learners

Brandeis University, Waltham MA

Investigators

Abstract

This SGER is a preliminary grant to begin testing a hypothesis concerning using the web for learning guided by the use of Multi-User Virtual Environments as a place for competitive and collaborative learning games. The hypothesis that this award is testing is that by tracking user performance, managing the set of available playmates for every student, and introducing virtual agent players at a variety of school levels, such a community of evolving learners can keep all participants appropriately challenged and motivated to learn. To test this hypothesis, appropriate games and learning outcomes will be defined and the software protocols written to do playmate matching agent choice, and collection of data or student learning. The students tested will be in fourth and fifth grade classrooms and work with games to improve learning of mathematics and elementary physics.