Avatars are visual representations of the user or learner in-world. The visual representations are usually (but not always) human in form; they can also be animal representation (such as furries in Second Life) or penguins in Club Penguin. Avatars allow users of the virtual worlds to control movement and activities in-world and help users to identify more closely with the virtual representations.

Multi-User Dimensions/Dungeons (MUDs) are text-based non-graphical virtual worlds.

Problem-based learning is a learner-centred and problem-centred approach to learning which focuses upon collaborative approaches. The approach fits well with exploratory learning and virtual environments due to its collaborative and social emphasis.