Shang, J.J., Jong, M.S.Y., Lee, F.L., & Lee, J.H.M. (2007). A Pilot Study on Virtual Interactive Student- Oriented Learning Environment. Proceedings of 1st IEEE International Workshop on Digital Game and Intelligent Toy Enhanced Learning (DIGTEL). 26 - 28 March, Taipei, Taiwan. A Pilot Study on Virtual Interactive Student-Oriented Learning Environment Junjie Shang, Morris Siu Yung JONG, Fong Lok LEE, and Jimmy Ho Man LEE Centre for the Advancement of Information Technology in Education The Chinese University of Hong Kong jjshang@cuhk.edu.hk Abstract To make full use of the power of the Web, a new Game-based Situated Learning Paradigm--VISOLE (Virtual Interactive Student-Oriented Learning Environment) for Web-based teaching and learning was proposed, aiming to help students learn from near real-life experiences and social constructions of knowledge. To explore and validate its educational values, we conducted a pilot study in Hong Kong from March 2006 to May 2006. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods was employed for data collection and analysis. Findings showed that VISOLE could really arouse students’ learning motivation, facilitate their knowledge acquisition, and improve their problem-solving skills and other high-order skills. In addition, students and teachers were quite positive towards the use of VISOLE although some helpful suggestions were raised. 1. Introduction The recent rapid expansion of applying the Internet technology in education has aroused a heated discussion of WEB-based learning. Some educators (for example, [1]) argue that WEB-based learning will eventually lead to a paradigm shift from the teacher- centered to student-centered learning style. Lee and Lee [2] argue that although the Web is believed to be an ideal environment for building simulated situations for students to learn high-order abilities, it does not seem to be the case of the current Web usage. Most of the current Web-based teaching environments only support the following basic functions: (1) As a repository of teaching materials; (2) Class administration; (3) Information dissemination; (4) Student-Teacher interaction; (5) Broadcasting medium (anytime learning) ;(6) Searching for information;(7) Examination medium. In other words, the current practices in WEB-based teaching use the WEB more as a storage and I/O medium, and less as a powerful computing machine. To make full use of the power of the Web, a new Game-based Situated Learning Paradigm--VISOLE (Virtual Interactive Student-Oriented Learning Environment) for Web-based teaching and learning was proposed [2]. The paradigm aims to help students learn from (near) real-life experiences accompanied with teachers’ debriefing and students’ reflection. Such measures aim to provide chances for students to construct their knowledge collaboratively rather than passively receiving information from the teachers. 1. 1. What’s VISOLE VISOLE is a learning style that uses a virtual game environment to facilitate learning. The web-based game environment is a simulation of the real world where students participate as “citizens” and take part in shaping the development of the virtual world. It provides a platform for participants to apply the theoretical knowledge to solve problems in a near-real environment, as well as to develop high-level skills for communication and problem solving in addition to subject knowledge [2]. VISOLE is usually divided into three stages [3]: Stage 1: Scaffolding Learning The first part of VISOLE is the scaffolding stage, in which the students are led to realize the structure of the required concepts and how they can be acquired. There will be no discussion on the detailed content, since it is expected that the students will do that in later stages [4]. Stage 2: Game-based Learning In the second part, a virtual Game-based environment with near-real simulation is provided to students. In this stage, students are free to explore in