Back to 80’s – a case study of how an 8-bit pixel art virtual world enhances the social components of remote teaching

Numerous tectonic shifts have occurred during the last few years in numerous spheres of life. Working from home and teaching in a remote environment has become the new normal for many educators, and while many have adapted to their home workspaces and Zoom sessions, the situation is becoming tiresome for all parties involved. It acts as a virtual reminder of the internet’s inability to facilitate the in-person connections that people need. Traditional video meetings and conferences are transformed by the new technology into something that more closely resembles in-person conversations. The authors will demonstrate an example and a method for increasing student participation and creating a more engaging environment through the use of a free virtual world application while boosting the social components of an online event. Gather Town will be introduced, and its ability to bridge gaps between in-person and virtual socialization will be demonstrated. Individuals can now inhabit a universe that is not just inclusive, but also interactive, in ways that Zoom and other platforms are not. The findings of a study comparing the levels of involvement across multiple web-conferencing tools and this one will be presented, as well as an experience report.