ABSTRACT

The primary focus of this book is the design of virtual worlds for learning. There are already plenty of books out there that talk about the technical aspects of developing computer games and virtual worlds. Frankly, those details are beyond the scope of this book. But it would be silly to bring you on this trip through theory, mechanics, design, assessment, and all the rest without talking about how virtual worlds actually get built. Plus, both of your authors love to build virtual worlds, and to talk about building them. So, this chapter will provide an overview of the development steps that should be considered as part of the process of designing virtual worlds for learning. Additionally, we’ll cover issues of project management, specifically from the perspective of ensuring a smooth transition from design phase to development phase.