law students and the online environment: teaching and researching in virtual worlds

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

Dr Melissa de ZwartLaw SchoolUniversity of South AustraliaMelissa.dezwart@unisa.edu.au

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