Second Life in Higher Education
I came across an article this morning that resonated with what we are doing here. http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/e-learning/2008/01/10/a-se....
One interesting line: "One worry is that student activity on Second Life may be more playful than pedagogical." I think that's a point for discussion.
One interesting line: "One worry is that student activity on Second Life may be more playful than pedagogical." I think that's a point for discussion.
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secondlife-USNewsJan08.pdf, 41 KB
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Permalink Reply by Michael McVey on
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It was an exhauting meeting since we had to learn how to chat with each other and most of us were still looking around and exploring.
I think your questions are all valid. There is no way a professor is going to begin a class unless and until all the students have some basic understanding of the environment. That is a major learning curve for some and a real challenge for some machines.
As for keeping young folks out of the game worlds, that's an issue. There is a Teen Grid though. As educators, we can subject ourselves to a security check for $40 US and gain access to work on K-12 projects. Warning: all your avatar info (and inventory) moves to the Teen Grid and you cannot return to the main grid. So it is best, if you are going to work on the teen level, to create an additional account and avatar.
As for gaming - there are also other things like orgies and high stakes gambling at some of the mature islands. It isn't all educational, that's for sure. Teen grid is a response to that. My 12 year old isn't allowed near the place unless I'm with her - that caused her interest to wane some.
Actually, I am passionately against gambling for money but not for any moral or religious reasons. I find it an enormous waste of time and mental energy. I also find that most people entering into the lure of easy money are about to have their wallets lightened a little. End rant.
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Now THAT is interesting. I served that role at the University of Arizona for five years. I was certainly needed when teachers were trying new things - everything from showing a DVD to implementing a survey - but my goal was to gradually move them toward independence - until the next new thing came along. It is an interesting model worth writing about. I'm game if you are.
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Good question. You look a little Jello-y today, Tom. Everything going well.
I don't know but if my students are primping their butterfly wings in class, it can be distracting to the others not to mention the instructor. :-)
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True enough.
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