Abstract—In this article, we will point out the impact of user-generated online Virtual Realities (VRs) on individual learning and knowledge building. For this purpose, we will first explain some of the key features of VRs, such as presence and immersion. We will then describe the specific qualities of user-generated online VRs: They have typical features of the Web 2.0, in that users have the opportunity to create content and objects themselves. We will also explain the concept of knowledge building and highlight its applicability in the context of user-generated online VRs. We will point out the key factors of successful knowledge building by discussing the visualization of educational content, learner-object interaction, as well as personal, social and environmental presence.

Index Terms—virtual reality, knowledge building, learning, web 2.0, immersion, user-generated content  

Cite: Johannes Moskaliuk, Joachim Kimmerle, Ulrike Cress, and Friedrich W. Hesse, "Knowledge Building in User-Generated Online Virtual Realities," Journal of Emerging Technologies in Web Intelligence, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 38-46, February 2011. doi:10.4304/jetwi.3.1.38-46