Discover a new world – VETnetwork Conference 2010

August 19th, 2010 by swilson in Article, Training

Dive into the realm of 3D virtual worlds at this year’s VETnetwork National Conference 2010, to be held in Adelaide from 15-17 September.

Rosemary Andrews from the Northern Territory Department of Employment and Training will show delegates how to choose their own avatars and explore the possibilities of the 3D world, including how to build in 3D. Rosemary will guide delegates through each process using a virtual world developed during a trial by the Australian Association of Distance Education Schools (AADES).

Rosemary was one of 17 practitioners from Australia and New Zealand selected for the six month AADES trial, which was established to identify the advantages and challenges of providing training in a virtual environment.

Trial participants regularly met online with trainers and mentors to build and discover different features of the virtual world. Participants collaborated to build the world from scratch and ‘teleported’ to other virtual worlds to gain further knowledge and experience
“By teleporting into other secure worlds we were able to acquire building tools and interact with practitioners from all over the world,” Rosemary said.

“It was a unique learning experience and one that I look forward to discussing in my session.”

It is this practical training that Rosemary will pass on to delegates who attend her session at the VETnetwork Conference.

“My session will show how this technology engages and stimulates learners who may be isolated for a number of reasons, such as geography or culture.

“The virtual environment helps to break down some of the social barriers that exist in the physical world. Because of this, the group dynamic changes and different learners emerge in leadership roles.”

The VETnetwork National Conference 2010 will feature workshops, forums and discussion panels led by vocational education and training specialists from around Australia.
Rosemary Andrew’s session on virtual worlds will take place on Thursday 16 September.

Registrations for VETnetwork National Conference 2010 are open and are available for the full three days or for individual sessions.