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My Research Interests

I have three primary research interests: [1] identity and collaboration in 3D virtual environments, [2] place-based mobile learning games, and [3] intercultural issues related to e-learning pedagogy. There's a list of recent publications and grant proposals on the right of this page, and more on my online curriculum vita.  
 
Research Study :: Virtual Embodiment
Avatar embodiment in virtual environments can change the way we explain negative events that happen in our lives — towards a healthier external or situational attribution.
     

Recent Manuscripts

Differences in 3D Collaborative Virtual Environment Preferences Between Online and Blended Student Cohorts
(submitted for review) Journal: MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching
Social Networking in Cross-Program Collaboration: A Study of the Use of ConnectYard in the Online Classroom
(submitted for review) Conference: International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI)
Influence of the Avatar on Multicultural Collaboration in Virtual Worlds for E-Learning
(October 2010 - to appear) Conference: International Conference on Current Trends and Challenges in Education
Assessing E-Learning Tools to Support International Service-Learning Collaboration
(March 2010) Conference: The Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE)

Recent Funding Proposals

Incorporating Cultural Considerations in the Design of Web-Based Learning Activities
Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT), $250 (funded), January 2010
Internationalizing Instructional Technology through Intercultural Online Collaboration
Successful Application of Learning Technologies (SALT), Principal Investigator, $4,217 (funded), November 2009

Collaboration in 3D Virtual Worlds

Despite the growing use of 3D virtual worlds in education, very little research has been done to investigate how self-representation in these environments impacts collaboration in multicultural learning groups. My research in this area has found significant differences between willingness to collaborate with avatars representing various ethnic groups.

Place-Based Learning Games

Place-based augmented reality games are an emerging type of learning tool that combine field-based activities with location-based media, and utilize game-design principles and scenarios to establish rich real-world contexts for exposing students to scientific issues.

Cultural Issues in e-Learning

Communication styles and cognitive processes differ drastically between various cultures. Immersive 3D virtual worlds can provide learning environments more engaging for students from high-context cultures, through the use of non-verbal avatar behaviors. Therefore, I'm presently studying cross-cultural differences within text-based and immersive 3D distance learning modalities.
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Copyright 2010, Paul Wallace. All rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.