title: The impact of multiuser virtual environments on student engagement.
abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that web-based synchronous instruction utilizing Multi-user Virtual World Environments (MUVEs) increases student engagement compared to traditional asynchronous learning methods. In a quasi-experimental two group posttest only study, a sample of Family Nurse Practitioner students (n = 21) received instruction using either a synchronous (n = 10) or asynchronous (n = 11) learning method. Engagement was measured using the Community of Inquiry survey. Results indicated that engagement scores were significantly higher for the synchronous learning platform (mean = 3.61, SD = 1.13) compared to the asynchronous learning platform (mean = 3.49, SD = 1.08, t(1766) = -2.21, p < 0.05). Increased student engagement with synchronous MUVE platforms have the potential to improve learning outcomes and offer nursing students a multitude of educational opportunities to practice new skills and behaviors in real life scenarios, all within the safety of a controlled environment.
authors.affiliation: Marymount University, VA, United States. Electronic address: fclaman@marymount.edu.
authors.forename: Faith L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Claman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020375:Education, Distance; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: Online learning; Student engagement; Virtual worlds