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