Employing an Activity-Theoretical Perspective to Localize an Educational Innovation in an Elementary School

Abstract

Two grade 5 classes (11–12-year-olds) were introduced through an inquiry-based pedagogy to scientific ideas and concepts within a 3D game-like multi-user virtual environment (MUVE). This article explores how a particular set of strategies and conditions might encourage and sustain the use of the MUVE, Quest Atlantis (QA), as a problem-based learning environment. This set of strategies and conditions includes the commitment of the teachers and their support through professional development, ongoing technical assistance, and students' orientation and scaffolding. Ensuring the appropriateness of the technology access and structure of the curriculum required time-table planning. These factors predict the likely survival of an education innovation in the school and the possibility of scaled up for more widely-used pedagogical practice.