Second Life Meeting

EDU-681100M4.4 SL Meeting-Field Trip

20 November 2013

Mark Ness

SL Utilization for Intended Learners

• I visited both Biomedical Research & Genome Islands:• I believe both locations/settings would immediately capture

the interests of radiologic science learners• The Biomedical Research island would be an ideal location to hold

small group meetings with new students, prior to students beginning clinical assignments

• Using the S.H.R.O. hospital bldg. setting as a meeting site location could serve as a virtual clinical education experience to introduce students to clinical in a controlled environment

• Radiologic science students complete a radiation health physics course that includes radiation biology:• The Genome Island setting would serve as an ideal setting to

send learners to to complete a hybrid/blended learning assignment related to DNA structure and function prior to introducing DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation exposure

Picture #1• Solo Visit:• Mark Ness – Recorder

Picture #2• Being greeted by an artificial life avatar as I enter the Biomedical

Research bldg.

Picture #3• Animated DNA artwork – really cleaver!

Picture #4• Virtual lab

Picture #5• Virtual labs requiring radiation warning signs!• This specific sign is used to identify radiation exposure levels greater

than 0.005 R/hour (5 mR, or 0.05 mSievert), but less than 0.1 R/hour (100 mR, or 1 mSv).

Picture #6• Great meeting location – if viewing screen supports PowerPoint slide

display, a virtual lecture for a hybrid/blended course can be held here!

Picture #7• Wasn’t quite sure why the Biomedical Research bldg. included a bar, but

thought I should at least peruse the collection of spirits!

Picture #8• This is what happens when your avatar spends too much time

“perusing” at the bar, he ends up dancing on the bar! (I actually chose the stand command thinking that’s how my avatar would get off the bar stool, and had to laugh at where he ended up!)

Picture #9• I was extremely impressed with my tour of the S.H.R.O. bldg.! I would

foresee holding mandatory meetings in this location with new radiologic science learners prior to beginning clinical activities. The idea of using a virtual space to introduce learners to a virtual clinical experience is limitless with regard to possible learning concepts that can be introduced and practiced.

Picture #10• A familiar sight (PA & Lateral chest images) greeted me in the virtual

surgical suite! However, in today’s OR, x-ray images would be displayed via an electronic monitor, since images are predominately obtained using digital imaging technology.

Picture #11• Another familiar sight (CT or MR unit (not sure) in foreground &

radiation therapy unit in background) greeted me in a virtual examination suite!

Picture #12• On the side of the virtual CT (or MR) unit, I discovered this image. This

is a head CT image (midbrain area). The image depicts a severe pathologic condition, caused by bleeding or a mass (tumor)!

Picture #13• I found more familiar sights adorning walls in the S.H.R.O. bldg.

Picture #14• I was greeted by virtual cell upon my arrival at the Genome Island.

Picture #15• My intended learners complete a general college biology (+lab) course

and A&P I/II. Learners are introduced to fundamentals of DNA structure & function. Learners compete a radiation health physics course that introduces fundamental concepts of radiation biology (i.e., DNA/cellular damage caused by ionizing radiation).

Picture #16• Virtual representation of a protein (in the form of an enzyme) – in this

case a lysosome.

Picture #17• One of the many floors in the Genome complex! A great place to hold a

hybrid/blended radiation biology (radiation health physics) course’s virtual meeting/lecture!

Picture #18• A virtual cell floating in the Genome sky! I explored this island by foot

and by air.

Picture #19• I grabbed a floating seat at the Genome Science Theater and waited for

the next lecture! Again, if the screen supports display of PowerPoint slides, what a great location to hold a virtual lecture/meeting (or office hours!) for a hybrid/blended course.

Picture #20• As the day relinquished to night in the Genome Island, I was treated to a

spectacular sunset!

Overall Impression of SL Tour• I thoroughly enjoyed my tours of both the Biomedical

Research & Genome islands within ESC’s SL island! • The SL meetings and activities we have completed as part of

our course have helped me to gain an understanding of and appreciation for the potential benefits virtual learning environments can create to actively engage learners (specifically digital natives) in the learning process.