MARA 284-12 (1-Unit)
Seminar in Archives & Records Management
Topic: Design for Teaching & Learning in Social Virtual Reality
Fall 2020 Syllabus
Dr. A. Marie Vans
E-mail
Office Location: Online
Office Hours: By appointment
| Syllabus Links Textbooks CLOs Competencies Prerequisites |
Resources Canvas Login and Tutorials iSchool eBookstore |
Canvas Information: Courses will be available beginning August 19th at 6 am PT unless you are taking an intensive or a one-unit or two-unit class that starts on a different day. In that case, the class will open on the first day that the class meets.
This one-unit course runs from September 25th - October 23rd. It will be available on Canvas on September 25th at 6 am PT. You will be enrolled in the Canvas site automatically.
Course Description
This course introduces Social Virtual Reality as a platform for professional development with an emphasis on designing training experiences using archival materials. These experiences will be based on using criteria and developing curricula along with well-known instructional design learning models specifically focused on information professionals.
Course Requirements
Virtual reality (VR) headsets will help to demonstrate the immersive experiences more clearly, however they are NOT required. All platforms we will visit will have a desktop version that allows you to participate from your computer using normal computer microphone & speakers.
Course Calendar
For this course, we will be using the Canvas Learning Management System as well as several different Social Virtual Reality platforms.
| Module | Main Topic, Core Competencies & CLOs | Lectures & Assignments | Due Dates |
| 1 |
Overview of Course
Social VR platforms
Criteria for Learning Experiences in VR
Core Comp H |
Introduction to the course Discussion (not graded): Introductions Lecture: Introduction, course overview, expectations, definition of terms, and concepts for educational experiences in Social Virtual worlds, introduction to virtual world design criteria. How to get into and basic interface interaction in Virbela (1st VR world). Discussion #1 (5 points) Basis for discussion -- Experience in Virbela and the application of the criteria (presented Assignment #1: (5 points) Visit Virbela at http://www.virbela.com. Readings #1:
Optional: Meetup with instructor and students in Virbela: Friday, 9/25/20, 10:00am-11:00am Pacific Time AND/OR Saturday 9/26/20, 10:00-11:00 Pacific Time |
Discussion & Assignment Due Date: |
| 2 |
Learning models for VR experiences
Context of Use
Core Comp H, J |
Instructional Design-Learning Models & Context in Social VR Worlds Lecture: Learning models including Situated Learning, Constructivism, and Behaviorism Discussion #2 (5 points) Basis for discussion -- Experience in one of the worlds visited and discussion of which criteria is met and how. Assignment #2: (5 points) Visit one virtual world after readings and video lecture to take notes on whether the criteria is applicable in the world visited and/or what needs to be addressed in order to complete the criteria. The following virtual worlds are suggested: Note: Other VR worlds are accepted with instructor approval.
Readings #2:
Optional: Meetup with instructor in Mozilla Hubs/Sinespace:
Friday, 10/2/20, 10:00am-11:00am Pacific Time AND/OR
Saturday 10/3/20, 10:00am -11:00am Pacific Time
|
Discussion & Assignment Due Date: FRIDAY, October 9, 2020 |
| 3 |
Method for designing curricula
Assessment Approaches
Example Design
Core Comp J |
Instructional Design - Developing Curricula in Social VR Worlds Lecture: Design of curricula for VR educational experiences using the design of a virtual exhibit. Design includes problem statement, proposed solution, target audience. learning objectives, assessment, and description of final VR world. Discussion #3 (5 points) Basis for discussion -- Experience in a VR world not previously visited and discussion of Assignment #3: (15 points) Visit one virtual world after readings and video lecture to take notes on whether the criteria
Note: Other VR worlds are accepted with instructor approval.
Writing: Pick one experience type (professional development training, archives or special collection) for curricular development and write up and submit with justification and example learning objects. This is a first draft of the final design document. Readings #3:
Optional: Meetup with instructor in Frames/Kitely:
Friday, 10/9/20, 10:00am-11:00am Pacific Time AND/OR
Saturday 10/10/20, 10:00am -11:00am Pacific Time
|
Discussion & Writing Assignment Due Date: FRIDAY, October 16, 2020 |
| 4 |
Putting it all together
Reinforcement of major concepts - learning models and criteria
|
Designing an Educational Experience using criteria for Social VR Worlds Lecture: A look at research in VR and the learning process to identify aspects of the technology and the effect on learning, understanding the state-of-the-art in VR for education including what has been done, where more evidence is needed, and directions for research and development. Discussion #4 (5 points) Basis for discussion -- Post about experience of project development/progress. Use discussion to ask questions about the project. Assignment #4: (15 points) Writing: Draft of the design project, including approach for each of the identified criteria necessary in the chosen domain and platform. Readings #4:
AND at least one of:
|
Discussion & Writing Assignment Due Date: FRIDAY, October 23, 2020 |
| Core Comp H,J CLO 2 |
Final Project (40 points) |
Final Project Due: FRIDAY, |
Grading
Note: 10% penalty for late work up to one week after the due date, with the exception of the final project. Extra credit can be earned by attending the optional meetups for 2 points each and maximum of 10 points.
Students earn a maximum of 110 points (with 10 points extra credit) which will be converted to a percentage and then to a letter grade based on the iSchool's grading scale.
| Category | Topic(s) | Course Learning Objectives | Scoring | Maximum Score |
| Discussions | Application of the criteria (presented in lecture and handout) to chosen virtual world. | CLO 1 CLO 2 |
4 @ 5 points each |
20 |
| Field Trip Assignments |
Create account and visit one of 6 worlds; determine which criteria are applicable in this world and how. | CLO 1 | 3@5 points each |
15 |
| Writing Assignment1 |
First draft of design document focused on developing curricula for specific domain. Includes justification for experience and example learning objects. | CLO 2 | 1 paper | 10 |
| Writing Assignment 2 |
Draft of final project. | CLO 1 CLO 2 |
1 paper | 15 |
| Final Project | Complete design document with all design elements included | CLO 2 | 1 Paper | 40 |
| Total | 100 |
Due to the evolving nature of VR, assignments and readings are subject to change with fair notice.
Other Relevant Information:
Virtual reality is a relatively new technology and many of the popular Social VR Platforms currently run only on PC/Windows-Based systems. If you use MacOS, I have chosen only platforms for this course that will work with MacOS. I will refer to the most popular platforms that work only on Windows and students are welcome to use those, however, they must get prior approval.
Course Workload Expectations
Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.
Instructional time may include but is not limited to:
Working on posted modules or lessons prepared by the instructor; discussion forum interactions with the instructor and/or other students; making presentations and getting feedback from the instructor; attending office hours or other synchronous sessions with the instructor.
Student time outside of class:
In any seven-day period, a student is expected to be academically engaged through submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam or an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; building websites, blogs, databases, social media presentations; attending a study group;contributing to an academic online discussion; writing papers; reading articles; conducting research; engaging in small group work.
Course Prerequisites
MARA 284 - Design in Social Virtual Reality (1 unit) has no prerequisite requirements.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Evaluate and apply technical criteria to state-of-the-art learning platforms for digital archives or special collections.
- Understand learning models and how they can be applied using novel learning technologies by developing curricula and designing experiences based on learning models applied to archives or special collections.
Core Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes)
MARA 284 supports the following core competencies:
- H Describe current information technologies and best practices relating to the preservation, integrity, and security of data, records, and information.
- J Describe global perspectives on effective information practices that are supportive of cultural, economic or social well-being..
Textbooks
Required Textbooks:
- Nelson, B.C., & Erlandson, B.E. (2012). Design for learning in virtual worlds: Interdisciplinary approaches to educational technology. Routledge. Available through Amazon: 0415886406
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:
| 97 to 100 | A |
| 94 to 96 | A minus |
| 91 to 93 | B plus |
| 88 to 90 | B |
| 85 to 87 | B minus |
| 82 to 84 | C plus |
| 79 to 81 | C |
| 76 to 78 | C minus |
| 73 to 75 | D plus |
| 70 to 72 | D |
| 67 to 69 | D minus |
| Below 67 | F |
In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:
- C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
- B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work or undergraduate (for BS-ISDA);
For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA, Informatics, BS-ISDA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation. You must repeat the class if you wish to stay in the program. If - on the second attempt - you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified. - A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.
Graduate Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).
University Policies
Per University Policy S16-9, university-wide policy information relevant to all courses, such as academic integrity, accommodations, etc. will be available on Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs' Syllabus Information web page at: https://www.sjsu.edu/curriculum/courses/syllabus-info.php. Make sure to visit this page, review and be familiar with these university policies and resources.
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