Virtual Learning at Harvard Graduate School Of Education

It was very interesting hearing Liana's  reflections on  the Future of Learning Seminar which she she recently attended, held at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.The key drivers  and shapers of the changing nature of learning  were identified as  globalisation,the digital revolution and mind/brain research.
The digital revolution is giving schools many opportunities for learning and Liana spoke about how the Harvard Graduate School of Education has put its hat in the ring with its  curriculum research project called EcoMUVE.
EcoMUVE  uses immersive virtual environments to teach middle school students about ecosystems and causal patterns.
The goal of the EcoMUVE project is to help students develop a deeper understanding of ecosystems and causal patterns with a curriculum that uses Multi‐User Virtual Environments (MUVEs). MUVEs are 3‐D virtual worlds that have a look and feel similar to videogames.Harvard is also piloting EcoMOBILE,an augmented -reality app for smartphones that gets students outside to observe their own local ecosystems for technology enhanced field trips.Project organisers believe that blending virtual and real ecosystems  can have a positive impact on student learning and I am sure that we will be hearing lots more and hopefully participating in some of these exciting initiatives in the future.