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Navigating Safety in Immersive Environments
44 Plays1 year ago
In episode 2 we're charting a course through the vital -- yet frequently overlooked topic of safety and security in the metaverse and VR experiences. In addition to learning how to make the metaverse as safe as possible, we’ll discuss strategies to introduce immersive learning AND get approval from your institution's compliance and legal teams.
Welcome to "The Immersive Learning Playbook," the podcast where education meets innovation to explore the future of learning. In each episode, we'll dive deep into the world of immersive learning, from XR and VR technologies to the best web XR metaverse experiences out there. Our host is Doctor Randy DeWitt, a highly respected professor, higher education leader, and education technology and innovation guru.
Whether you're an educator looking to enhance your teaching through the metaverse or a university just getting started in immersive learning - you've come to the right place. Join us as we plot out the strategies, challenges, and successes of immersive learning.
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Transcript
Introduction to Immersive Learning Playbook
00:00:04
Speaker
Welcome to the Immersive Learning Playbook, the podcast where education meets innovation to explore the future of learning.
Host Introduction: Dr. Randy DeWitt
00:00:13
Speaker
In each episode, we'll dive deep into the world of immersive learning, from XR and VR technologies to the best web XR metaverse experiences out there.
00:00:23
Speaker
Our host is Dr. Randy DeWitt, a highly respected professor, higher education leader, and education technology and innovation guru.
Safety and Security in Metaverse and VR
00:00:32
Speaker
Whether you're an educator looking to enhance your teaching through the metaverse or a university, just getting started in immersive learning, you've come to the right place. Join us as we plot out the strategies, challenges, and successes of immersive learning.
00:00:48
Speaker
If you're like me, you're motivated to create immersive experiences for your students that are safe on the digital frontier. I'm Dr. Randy DeWitt, your guide today, and you're listening to the second episode of the Immersive Learning Playbook.
00:01:01
Speaker
Today we're charting a course through the vital, yet frequently overlooked topic of safety and security in the Metaverse and in VR experiences. In addition to learning how to make the Metaverse as safe as possible, we'll discuss strategies to introduce immersive learning and get approval from your institution's compliance and legal teams.
Enhancing Security with Technology
00:01:21
Speaker
So buckle up as we navigate the complexities of passwords, bullying,
00:01:25
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student conduct, and XR netiquette as we study the emotional impacts that virtual violations can have on our students. You might be asking yourself, why are we even talking about safety before we even know the platforms we'll invest in to create these immersive learning experiences and courses for our students? Well, it all comes down to selecting a capable platform and your ability to secure, safeguard, and share wisely.
Legal and Compliance in Virtual Learning
00:01:53
Speaker
Let's not risk the safety of our students, their data, and the investment your institution will make by not preparing and taking this vital step along the path to creating safe, immersive learning experiences. So let's get started with the basics, passwords.
00:02:09
Speaker
In the vast expanse of the Metaverse, there are the keys to our digital kingdom. But as we've all likely experienced, with great power comes great responsibility. A strong password is like a sturdy lock on the door to your virtual home. It's your first line of defense against the digital desperadoes of the Wild Web. And hopefully, like many universities and schools, your institution uses a single sign-on service for faculty and students.
00:02:35
Speaker
Now is the time to seek out a Metaverse provider and software companies that support Single Sign-On. With Single Sign-On, you and your students will have a safer, streamlined login experience, gaining access to multiple applications with just one authentication. Students will benefit from accessing immersive experience through the Learning Management System or Student Portal.
00:02:59
Speaker
also known as SSO. This process boosts productivity and elevates security by minimizing password fatigue and the risk of phishing. And it provides centralized control over access. And when a student or user leaves the organization, their access is limited through the single sign-on database.
Addressing Cyberbullying in Digital Spaces
00:03:17
Speaker
It's at this point that I encourage you to work with your legal and compliance team at your school or university to determine which laws or statutes apply to your state related to student data,
00:03:27
Speaker
password protection, as well as using online resources like the Metaverse. And just like taking attendance in class, we want to know which students are present and their behaviors and activities that are taking place. The use of strong passwords and passwords that are specifically associated with students and other users help to identify poor behavior online. And primarily, I'm talking about cyberbullying. The concept of bullying has always been part of a society as far as we can remember.
00:03:52
Speaker
And addressing cyberbullying is crucial because of its potentially severe impact on victims' physical and mental well-being. And we know cyberbullying sometimes even leads to fatal outcomes. Cyberbullying introduces a hidden, anonymous form of bullying that can be conducted remotely, making it difficult for students, peers, and education authorities to detect and intervene. This invisible aspect of bullying amplifies its danger compared to traditional, direct forms
Emotional Impact of Virtual Environments
00:04:20
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of bullying.
00:04:20
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According to a study by the American Counseling Association, upwards of 22% of students have experienced online bullying and 38% know someone who has been affected by it.
00:04:33
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Taking it to another level, institutions, faculty, and administrators also need to be aware of the virtual physical assaults that can take place. These experiences can include cyberbullying all the way up through sexual assault. What we do know is the emotional toll on victims is real. Being violated in a virtual environment can feel just as real as in the physical world to victims.
Building Empathetic Virtual Communities
00:04:56
Speaker
The immersive nature of VR at times makes it difficult for our brains to distinguish between digital and physical experiences, making these experiences and their impact deeply felt by the victims. In a future episode, we'll explore establishing a student code of conduct and making sure that everyone knows the rules of the game, but education is key.
00:05:19
Speaker
It's important for students and for administrators to know how to block, report, and mute offenders to make their virtual environment a safer space for everyone.
00:05:30
Speaker
Here's where building community and infusing empathy will play a crucial role. Creating supportive inclusive virtual spaces where users feel safe to share their experiences is important to creating an immersive experience.
Safety Features for Developers
00:05:44
Speaker
It's about building a community of empathetic users who look out for one another. Before launching an immersive experience, develop student training, set expectations, and emphasize the netiquette rules to be applied to your virtual experiences.
00:06:00
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outline clear guidelines related to avatars, their virtual behaviors, movements, and communication with other users. Trust me, for those who are serious gamers, it's easy for some to slide into their online game persona, including language and behaviors.
00:06:18
Speaker
Always make clear that all immersive experiences are to be considered in the same light as an on-campus class or activity. And speaking of gaming, let's not forget those that are the architects of these virtual worlds. Developers and platform providers must wield their power responsibly, crafting environments with safe mechanisms baked into the very fabric of their digital universes.
Shared Responsibility for Safe Learning
00:06:41
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Think safety nets, not afterthoughts.
00:06:44
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Hopefully by this point it's clear that safeguarding these spaces is really a shared responsibility. From individual users, our students, and those that create immersive learning environments. Each of us has a role in ensuring immersive learning experiences are a realm of boundless learning and exploration, not fear and intimidation.
00:07:05
Speaker
And as we conclude today's episode about the safety and security of your immersive experiences, remember, the strength of our virtual communities lies in our unity and our commitment to protecting each other. Teach your students to be vigilant, be kind, and above all, be
Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
00:07:22
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supportive.
00:07:22
Speaker
Join us next time as we talk about the kinds of experiences that you can create in immersive learning. Until then, keep your passwords complex, your environment safe, and your adventures boundless. I'm Dr. Randy Dewitt, your navigator and ally, signing off from the Immersive Learning Playbook.