6th Annual Colloquium: Online Simulations, Role-playing, and Virtual Worlds

November 2-6 2009

Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands

LoW6 Conference Theme:
Virtual worlds in education and society: critical, innovative perspectives and practices

2009 Location: Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands

Conference Chairs: Roberto Muffoletto (roberto.muffoletto@gmail.com) and Helen Hintjens (hintjens@iss.nl)

Colloquium Partners: League of Worlds, EPN (Electronic Platform of The Netherlands); Institute of Social Studies; Sofos Consultancy

Call for presentations (papers and multimedia)
Virtual worlds are increasingly gaining global appeal and application. As acceptance of virtual worlds becomes more widespread, what may be the affect on educational and social environments? How does using virtual worlds affect how we think about and understand, as well as design virtual and real social environments? As a form of technological innovation, are virtual worlds subject to the same flux as other forms of economic and educational activity? What are the implications and lessons for innovations in virtual worlds in terms of methods and modes of communication, potential for collaboration, and the recreation and creation of new forms of pedagogic applications of such worlds? Will growth and development of virtual worlds continue; will reductions in budgets restrict innovations, or is there a danger of shutting down globalized opportunities for learning and interaction?

This year, the LOW conference will consider how virtual worlds are going global, addressing new educational and social themes and possibilities. This year we are inviting presentations and exchanges that reflect on the present in light of the past, and outline some prospects for the future. Questions addressing “What did we learned from a decade of virtual worlds?”; “Will new, more horizontal forms of educational, social and cultural interaction emerge?”; “Which kinds of platforms and worlds have been able to sustain themselves, and which cannot survive?”; and “What are the implications for future possibilities?”, are a few of the questions that need to be addressed as we explore how virtual worlds ‘translate’ into real-time settings in the global North and South as we work with less advantaged groups in society.

In additional to traditional papers to present positions and arguments, LOW is encouraging authors to present their position or argument in a multimedia format. To select this format is “not” to create an illustration but to construct and deliver a position/argument in a non-linear form.

This year the colloquium is designed to encourage and support discussion and engagement by all participants. Sessions are to be organized as mini-panels, linking presentations along similar themes. Each presentation will involve a respondent, whose role is to reflect and initiate responses and discussion. Presenters have 15 minutes to present their ideas (broadband is available), and time will be made for full discussion. The size of the colloquium will be limited to around 50 participants to facilitate meaningful interaction. The language of communication is English.

** Papers will be published in the LOW proceedings and do not need to be read out in full. Authors are invited to present a brief summary of their arguments, with illustrations or a demonstration if required.

The League of Worlds colloquium is designed to support the sharing of meaningful reflections on practices, designs and their wider social implications. Participants share experiences, insights, lessons and demonstrate the various technologies involved. Also central this year is an invitation to think critically, perhaps to rethink, what working with virtual worlds entails in a broader sense for social and educational learning and practice. Papers that reflect, in light of virtual worlds, on concepts including identity, social justice, conflict resolution, ‘emotional’ literacy and power relations in a globalizing world, will be particularly welcome. In addition, the place of virtual worlds in wider pedagogic goals and approaches will be another central theme.

The LOW Colloquium review committee will be particularly interested in submissions on the following themes:

1. Design and collaboration in Virtual Learning Environments (VLE).

2. The role of the facilitator/ teacher and learner in the VLE
3. Analyzing the learning experience

4. Gaming and role-playing design

5. Pushing the boundaries: socializing new technologies in VLE

6. Globalizing the use of VLE: Issues for Social and Development Studies

7. Critical perspectives on VLE and Social Change

8. Visions and projections for the future of VLE and the social uses of virtual worlds

9. Recent developments and visions for the future

* Submit a short Summary statement, stating how your presentation relates to one of the themes listed above. The statement should be no longer than 150 words long, and should explain the focus and purpose of the presentation/paper. Authors need to provide with their proposal a number of discussion questions.

* Authors need to be listed with contact information. Main author should be noted.
* Submitted proposals are double blind peer-reviewed.
* Proposals need to be submitted as word RTF files to the conference chair at: roberto.muffoletto@gmail.com

* Final papers need to be submitted in an accessible format (RTF). Papers should range between 2000- 4000 words (6 - 10 pages).

* Multimedia works should be submitted via ftp or a link provided.

* References should be in the author’s tradition.

* Accepted presentations, the colloquium program, and a list of attendees and their proposals will be published on the League of Worlds 2009 Colloquium website.

June 15th, 2009

Notification of Acceptance : July 15, 2009
Conference fee deadline* all presenters must be registered by this date.

September 1 2009

Final paper/multimedia works (for proceedings) due no later than:

15 September 2009

* Due to limited spaces, participants will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given to those presenting papers. Non-presenting attendees will be registered where spaces remain.

Questions and Inquires:

Questions concerning the 2009 LOW-6 Colloquium need to be addressed to one of the chairpersons:

Helen Hintjens hintjens@iss.nl
Roberto Muffoletto muffoletto.roberto@gmail.com