Editorial 28(3): Preface to the special issue-Virtual worlds in tertiary education:An Australasian perspective

Virtual worlds (referred to by some as multi-user virtual environments or MUVEs) have generated much attention and interest among tertiary education practitioner sand researchers in recent years, with many universities and colleges making use of commercial platforms like Second Life or building customised platforms using open tools and resources to suit the particular needs of their staff and students. While a number of other journals have published special issues centred around the topic of virtual worlds in education (e.g., Bell, Savin-Baden & Ward, 2008; Chandler, Collinson, Crellin & Duke-Williams, 2009; de Freitas & Veletsianos, 2010; Hunsinger & Krotoski, 2010; Rea, 2009; Salmon & Hawkridge, 2009; Steinkuehler &Squire, 2009; Twining, 2010), a noticeable majority of the articles published in those issues have emanated from the United Kingdom and United States. In recognition of the considerable innovation, experimentation and dialogue that has been taking place in the virtual worlds arena across the tertiary education sector in Australasia (see Dalgarno, Lee, Carlson, Gregory & Tynan, 2011 for a snapshot), this special issue called for contributions from within the Australasian region, as well as from those farther afield able to position their work against the Australasian context. Articles were requested that addressed theory, research and practical issues related to the use of the technology in both higher and vocational education.