Learning at the interstices; locating practical philosophies for understanding physical/virtual inter-spaces

ABSTRACT

Virtual worlds are relatively recent developments, and so it is tempting to believe that they need to be understood through newly developed theories and philosophies. However, humans have long thought about the nature of reality and what it means to be “real.” This paper examines the three persistent philosophical concepts of Metaxis, Liminality and Space that have evolved across more than 2000 years of meditation, contemplation and reflection. Our particular focus here is on the nature of the interface between the virtual and the physical: at the interstices, and how the nature of transactions and transitions across those interfaces may impact upon learning. This may, at first, appear to be an esoteric pursuit, but we ground our arguments in primary and secondary data from research studies in higher education.

KEYWORDS:

• Virtual worlds
• metaxis
• liminality
• space
• place
• situated learning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Maggi Savin-Baden is Professor of Education at the University of Worcester, UK. She has gained external funding to research and evaluate staff and student experience of learning for over 20 years and her recent funded research is into cyber influence. Maggi has over 50 research publications, has published 13 books and in her spare time she bakes, runs, rock climbs and attempts triathlons.

Liz Falconer is Professor of Technology Enhanced Learning and Director of the Education Innovation Centre at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. She publishes in national and international journals and speaks at international conferences on subjects related to TEL, majoring upon situated and contextual learning in immersive virtual environments to support simulation and practice-based learning. She has undertaken research and consultancy grants from Heinz, British Aerospace Defence, Hewlett Packard, Reading University, EU, HEFCE and HEA, amounting to approximately £16m. Liz is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.