Challenges from implementing Blended Learning in a 3D Multiuser Virtual Environment

With their ability to simulate real life and allow users to interact with the virtual environment, Multiuser Virtual Environments (MUVEs) are very useful platforms for education and training. A survey of the related literature shows that MUVEs in education are mainly used only as a supplement of the traditional lesson in the classroom, which is mainly the idea of blended learning. In this work, we go one step beyond and examine whether this blended learning model can be fully implemented online, with MUVEs replacing the face to face interaction. This is ideal for open learning communities, whose members are able to meet only online, and can hardly meet in the same classroom. For an open learning community, we investigate whether the existence of a MUVE can be combined smoothly and productively with the already established tools for online learning communities support and the first user experiences are positive: users prefer to use LMS because of its simplicity and are attracted from the 3D virtual environment and the interactivity it offers.