law students and the online environment: teaching and researching in virtual worlds
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Dr Melissa de ZwartSchool of Law University of South Australia
Teaching: online learningUptake of technologyAdaptability and willingness to
engagepossibilitiesResearchingThe Monash Island
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Law of the Internet, online since 1998
Why online?Change in student expectations over
ten yearsApparent uptake of technology did
not reflect technical skillsPractical issuesCustomer dissatisfaction
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Law of Virtual Worlds, first taught 2008, 20 graduate students
Practical exercises to familiarise students with technology
Assignment required in depth engagement with one virtual world
Use of vw to model behaviour, practical exercises: property, contract, intellectual property
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Property Intellectual property: eg Blizzard v
MDYGovernance: eg EvE Online
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Attitudes to rules and rule breaking in SL
Ethics approval process Interdisciplinary research Conferences and networking
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Arts, Law, Education and … admin?BuildingsPurpose InsuranceOwnership, responsibility,
permissionsLack of institutional supportMultidisciplinary research
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Still a lot of resistance to the technology
‘this doesn’t affect me’Risk Lack of willingness to enageVirtual worlds are deadThe merger of SNS and VWsEmbracing technology rather than
resisting it?Learn Teach & Play in VWs 09 12
