Using Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVE) in Nursing Education

Multi-user virtual environments have been called the most important teaching innovation of the 21st century. An outgrowth of multiuser gaming, MUVEs are not games, but rather three dimensional virtual worlds in which multiple users can interact in their avatar forms. When used for learning purposes, MUVE environments can be a useful form of simulation learning that can easily and inexpensively offer a wise variety of learning activities. The purpose of this oral presentation will be to introduce and describe MUVE learning, including its history, development, and pedagogical advantages over traditional learning methodologies. Second Life, the largest free, public MUVE will be described in detail. On the basis of data from over 400 nursing learning activities, the presenter will review four general types of MUVE learning activities, and review the literature for what is known about learning outcomes in MUVE learning. The presentation will concude with an explaination of best practices for MUVE learning in nursing.