A fascination with virtual worlds led Kimberley Tuapawa to develop an interactive multimedia programme which has captivated students, lecturers and industry movers and shakers.
The Wairoa based EIT lecturer along with Senior Lecturer Dr David Skelton recently gave a presentation at the CITRENZ (Computing and Information Technology Research and Education New Zealand) conference where she highlighted her push to make virtual world technology – with its myriad of rich visual features – a more utilised tool to engage students.
She created KiwiWorld, which she built on the concept that learning should be fun, incorporating games, colour and interactivity. “The idea was that if learning is fun, students are more likely to engage,” she says. “The CITRENZ conference was a great event to showcase this point and provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with and present to some really amazing people from with the tertiary and industry sectors of New Zealand.”
And it didn’t hurt that the industry movers and shakers were on hand to be impressed. “We looked at how virtual world technology is currently being used within tertiary environments, factors that contribute to its adoption or rejection, and what its future potential is, in light of the Government’s atoledo.com intention to bring ultra-fast broadband to New Zealand.”
The feedback was hugely complementary, with many keen to find out more from the young academic who was raised in Wairoa.
“That in itself led to more enthusiastic on-topic conversations about virtual reality, blended learning and the potential for more research.”
It was Dr Skelton who mentored and encouraged Kimberley’s research efforts. “He has made all this possible,” she says, “and he continues to inspire so many within the tertiary sector and student community.”
Research has become a real passion for Kimberley, who competes her masters in digital media within the month.She credits her parents John and Gwen Powell for instilling a determination in her that has seen her quickly come to the attention of key industry players.
But she loves her teaching.
“I actively seek to meet students learning needs by getting to know them individually,” she says. “I am interested in their learning and development, and like to reinforce the value of learning.”
Kimberley joined EIT in late 2006 as both an academic and regional coordinator.