A clear goal for implementation is an instructional design challenge that can be solved by a pedagogically-sound instructional unit mediated by technology and targeted toward the teachers who have a direct hand in implementing STEM and inspiring students to stay in the STEM pipeline. The inclusion of art (STEAM) is a key ingredient in bridging the gap between theoretical science and technology and the practical, real-world applications needed for economic success. In addition, technology and art together are key to engaging and retaining students who would normally fall out of the pipeline because of the rigors of science, math, and engineering.
Role-playing, experiential, and collaborative experience that included constructive, demonstration, and skill-building opportunities (Richter, Anderson-Inman, and Frisbee, 2007) were utilized in a simulated world based on Thornburg’s concepts of learning spaces called Campfires in Cyberspace. The objective was to strengthen teacher knowledge and confidence in developing and implementing STEAM curriculum in the classroom through a collaborative, immersive virtual reality environment.
This session will discuss the Campfires in Cyberspace simulation’s instructional design, features, strategies, virtual world tools utilized within the virtual environment Open Simulator.
Sarah Espinosa, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, JapanSarah Espinosa is a Navy Veteran and performed professionally as a hornist in United States Navy bands for 11 years throughout North America, Europe and Africa. She has a Bachelor of Music degree in horn performance and a Master of Arts in Music and Worship Studies from Liberty University. She and her family currently reside in Yokosuka, Japan. Sarah continues to perform as a civilian alongside musicians from the Yokosuka Fireman Band, SEVENTH Fleet Navy Band, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Band Yokosuka, as well as teach private horn lessons from her home. She is in her final semester of the LTEC Master’s program at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
A recording of this presentation is available.
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