Since 2009, Shailey has been involved in a number of teaching and learning initiatives in Second Life and in Unity 3D environments, such as: the design and development of the 3D virtual geology field trip, a project that she led and was funded by Wolfson Foundation (2012-2013); design guidelines for navigation and wayfinding in 3D virtual learning spaces for which she received the Gitte Lindgaard Best Paper Award at OzCHI 2011; the theoretical underpinnings on the role of 3D avatar-based environments for overcoming student isolation in distance education (see: http://oro.open.ac.uk/16142/), and the role of 3D virtual environments in supporting group working in distributed environments (see: http://oro.open.ac.uk/23512/).