teaching in secdnd life chris calvert-minor uw-whitewater
TRANSCRIPT
TEACHING IN SECDND LIFE
Chris Calvert-MinorUW-Whitewater
WHAT IS SECOND LIFE?
a freevirtualonline
multi-userfully user created3-D environment
SL is a constantly running computer simulation platform created in 2003 by Linden Labs.
WHY USE SECOND LIFE
FOR TEACHING?1. Virtual online classroom Presence & participation Texture & depth Props
2. Simulations3. Community involvement
PRESENCE
Traditional online courses use learning management systems (e.g. D2L) asynchronously.
Research shows that students feel like isolated individuals with systems like D2L. They are not fully engaged.
Second Life brings back the real element of presence and the asset of immediate feedback through dialogue.
PARTICIPATION
Students’ options: TEXT CHAT and VOICE CHAT
They overwhelmingly choose TEXT CHAT.
Why?
anonymity of person
bite-sized bits of comments/insights
immediacy of posting thought
PARTICIPATION
Effects?
The potential for a lot more discussion
More student-student interaction than the face-to-face classroom
Tangential, yet relevant, threads of thought can be explored by students in TEXT CHAT while instructor speaks
TEXTURE&
DEPTH
Intro to Philosophy course
Eastern Religions course
Modern Japan course
American Indian Studies course
PROPS
If you can think it, we can probably make it or get it.
Seriously.
SIMULATIONS
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Alumni College
Open your course or simulation to the public
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
UW-Whitewater Provost’s Office