Call For Proposals / Papers

Submissions are due no later than 23:59 PST February 15, 2012.
Please go to: http://conf.vwbpe.org

Submissions to the following contests are also open until February 15, 2012
Machinima
Posters
Games and Simulations

The Virtual Worlds Best Practice in Education (VWBPE) is a community-based conference that provides opportunities for participants in all virtual worlds to share current teaching, learning, and research practices in 3D virtual environments. Conference presentations focus on teaching/learning, scholarly work, projects, events, activities and new and innovative tools for virtual education. Presenters will focus on the identification of best practices in education designed for 3D virtual world technology.

This year’s theme is BE EPIC.

Proposal Streams

A. Theoretical and Research Papers
B. Best Practices Showcase
C. Explorations of Virtual Worlds
D. Games and Simulations
E. Posters
F.  Machinima
G.  K-12

Proposal Formats

1. Lecture Auditorium - standard auditorium type environment with a stage and forward facing seating. Presenter will have temporary use of the space during their presentation and must include set-up and clean-up of the space in their allotted time.

2. Studio Workspace - free format space totalling approximately 1024m2 with no seating. Suitable for workshops, roundtables, tools, and product demos. Presenter will have temporary use of a parcel of space during their presentation and must include set-up and clean-up of the space in their allotted time.

3. Poster Exhibit - Based on number of accepted submissions, will subdivide a 1024m2 permanent exhibit space for each poster. Suitable for exhibition of tools, best practices, special events, and marketing and promotion. Presenter will have permanent use of the space during the conference. This space is not suitable for large numbers of participants. (Available only for Poster Stream)

Preferred Location

1. Second Life Main Venue
2. SO3D OpenSim
3. Reaction Grid OpenSim

---

Proposal Stream Description

If a group of presenters want to establish a mini-language specific track, please contact the conference organizers in advance to arrange. The VWBPE conference encourages participation from around the world regardless of language.

The following is a description of proposal streams:

A. Theoretical and Research Paper Presentations

The focus of this stream is on formal research which provides evidence of best practices for 3D virtual world teaching/learning. We are interested in a wide range of subjects. Topics can include, but are not limited to,  use of technology of virtual worlds, virtual reality, augmented reality, distant and directed, blended or mixed environments,  and/or use of gaming platform such as World of Warcraft (WoW) and other MMORPGs.

Papers submitted must be either:

• Published in a peer reviewed research journal no earlier than 24 months prior to the submission deadline, OR
• Jointly presented at VWBPE and submitted for review to the Journal of Virtual Studies for the 2012 issue (see http://jovs.urockcliffe.com/).

Presentation Time: 50 minutes including Q&A

B. Best Practices Showcase

The focus of this stream is on distributing information regarding the use of virtual world technology for teaching/learning. No formal research is required. This stream provides anecdotal evidence of best practices. Proposals can focus on the use of technology in virtual worlds, virtual reality, augmented reality, distant and directed, blended, or mixed environments and or use of gaming platforms such as World of Warcraft (WoW) and other MMORPGs.

1. Best Practices Presentation

A traditional lecture style presentation focusing on best practices using virtual worlds in education.

Presentation Time: 50 minutes including Q&A

2. Workshops and Tutorials

Workshops and tutorials are intended to enhance the skills and knowledge of attendees. Sessions should be designed to introduce a framework for learning a new area or provide advanced technical training.

Proposals must include the purpose of the workshop or tutorial, clear description of the objectives, intended audience including the experience level and prerequisites, and virtual space requirements.

Presentation Time: 50 minutes including Q&A

3. Panel Presentations and Roundtables

A panel consisting of 2-4 people (including the chair) present their views on a common theme, issue, or question, and discuss them with participants. The presentation should provide an opportunity for participants to hear well-reasoned arguments about pertinent topics as seen from a variety of viewpoints.  Presenters or panelists should take no more than 40, of the total 80 minutes, to make their case and then guide participants through a discussion and series of questions and answers.

Presentation Time: 80 minutes including Q&A

4. Tools and Products

Showcase new and innovative tools and products that enable educators to create teaching/learning and research environments, enhance learning, and enable virtual world participants to function with ease. This stream focuses on the newcomer and experienced practitioner to make informed choices in selecting tools and products.

Presentation Time: 80 minutes including Q&A

C. Explorations of Virtual Worlds

Second Life is one of many virtual world technologies.  This stream includes tours, orientations, and  introductions to spaces in Second Life, other social virtual worlds or MMORPGS. Proposals should provide information regarding the virtual world to be visited, description of activities, and any requirements for participation.

Presentation Time: 20 minute intro + 90 minute tour including Q&A

D. Games and Simulations

The focus of this stream is the development and implementation of specific activities, games, and simulated environments that increase learner interaction with others and increase engagement. Participants will have opportunities to participate in project-based activities. Interactive Games and Simulations presentations should also include:

• Purpose of the demonstration
• Description of the activity in which participants will engage
• Clear description of the objectives
• Intended Audience
• Location where the activity can be found prior to the conference
• Special considerations for set-up/break-down

Presentation Time: Up to 110 minutes including Q&A.

E. Posters

Poster sessions will provide educators, researchers, and developers with a forum where they can present and discuss their work and network with others working on similar projects. Space will be allocated to educational exhibitors to demonstrate their services or key projects. Space and prim specification will be given upon acceptance. Audio/visual will be available, but it is requested that use of sound be kept to a minimum.

Presentation Time: Poster presenters will be invited to set-up 72 hours prior to the conference opening. Poster areas can be left in place for up to 5 days post conference.

F. Machinima

Machinima is video recorded real-time in interactive 3D virtual worlds and video games such as Second Life, World of Warcraft, and even Club Penguin. The purpose of this new stream is to promote the production and use of machinima and virtual film making in education. Machinima is a method that allows educators, researchers, and students to create content in a virtual environment. This content can then be used in traditional, blended, and virtual environments. This stream is for traditional conference presentations on the use of machinima in education. VWBPE will also be holding a Machinima Fest under its participatory events. Examples would include but are not limited to:

• Machinima in the classroom
• Teacher case studies
• Machinima discussions
• Networking sessions
• Guest machinima artists sharing techniques

Presentation Time: Not to exceed 110 minutes including Q & A.

G. K-12

This stream of the conference focuses on K-12 student use of virtual worlds, created both by students and their teachers/advisors, as methods of learning. Participants will share their best practices, successes/learning moments, and projects and how they were able to engage students in learning opportunities. Students are also encourage to submit their projects as part of this stream. Examples would include but are not limited to:

• Youth and Technology (Discussion panel by teens for teens)
• Participatory and Democratic Learning
• Students as Content Creators
• Content Creation Challenge (Builds, tools, machinima, art)
• Combining Technologies (Blending Web and 3D)
• Virtual Fair (Demonstrations – science fair style poster sessions)
• Game Design

Presentation Time: As Required

---

Participatory Events

Submissions will open on Monday, September 19, 2011
Submissions are due no later than 23:59 PST Wednesday, February 15, 2012.
Please go to: http://conf.vwbpe.org

Machinima

To encourage the production of machinima and the growth of a community of educators, researchers, and students who produce machinima, VWBPE will be holding a machinima fest, contest and viewing during the 2012 conference.

More detailed specifications on requirements for submitting a Machinima and this year’s categories please go to http://www.vwbpe.org/calls/machinima

Posters

All posters accepted to the VWBPE Poster stream are eligible for our participatory event. A panel of judges will select the nominees in the following categories:

1) Best Example of Educational Practices in a Virtual World
2) Best Interactive Display
3) Best Use of Conference Theme
4) A fourth category of “People’s Choice” will allow conference-goers to select any of  the poster submissions.

Games And Simulations Fest

What have you created? Show us!

Submissions Due 2/15/2012

To encourage the production of user created games and the growth of a community of educators, researchers, and students who produce games and simulations, VWBPE will be holding a games and simulation fest  during the 2012 conference. Submission can be made by an individual or group. A panel of educators, researchers, students, and gamers will choose a best in each category. Additional recognition may be given based on the recommendation of panel. We are looking for games and simulation that play whether it be for solely for fun or purposeful play for education and training. So be bold and brave and most of all BE EPIC!

For more information, please go to  http://www.vwbpe.org/blog/games-and-simu…hnical-details

---

Receiving Notification

You will receive a message indicating receipt of your proposal when it is submitted.

Receiving Acceptance

Your proposal will go through a peer review process. You will receive notice after peer review that your proposal was either a) accepted without changes, b) accepted with changes, or c) rejected as not being suitable for this conference. A notification of rejection does not mean that you cannot submit other proposals in keeping with the conference goals and aims. Paper submissions for publication only and not presented during the conference will not be accepted.

Submitting for Paper Publication

If you would like to submit your proposal as a paper to the Journal of Virtual Studies, please visit Rockcliffe University’s open source journal page at http://ejournal.urockcliffe.com/. Your paper, if accepted, will be published in the issue immediately following the conference. Please note that acceptance at the VWBPE conference does not guarantee acceptance to the Journal nor does a Journal submission guarantee acceptance to the conference.