Take a look at a quick demo of SL if you need a visual explanation:
http://secondlife.com/whatis/
So after seeing how it works in Professor Snow's class, he also made another point. Professor Snow said you can actually hold a class via SL. You would have to create a character, and go as far as logging in the program to be at the designated class meeting location (within SL) and sit down to have class with your peers and the professor. The setting is an actual classroom or other location of choice. You can see the characters of your other classmates and your professor as if you are actually sitting there. There is the ability to actually upload and play real PowerPoint presentations within the SL interface. Apparently, there are universities currently already using this method to hold classes. There is an actual site that someone engineered to mirror our very own James Madison University. The layout, buildings and traditional JMU symbols and paraphernalia all scattered throughout the interface. So essentially on a snow day where campus is closed, we all could be in our respective homes in Harrisonburg (or anywhere for that matter), log into SL and still actually meet "in-person" in SL to have class instead of fighting icy and snowy roads!
That seems a little extreme to me. How is this any different from holding an online class or a class using Eluminate? Are there any benefits to using SL over one of these methods? Do you think this will eventually be a widely utilized tool to hold classes at JMU? And would you consider this method E-Learning?
As if that didn't blow my mind enough, SL is now being taken a step further. Instead of using the mouse and keyboard to control your character as I initially mentioned, now technology is being developed to control your character with the movements of your own body. Moving around is similar to how a Segway works (lean your body forward or backwards and your character will walk forward or backwards). Check it out below!
Professor Snow is pretty convinced that this is the direction that e-learning will be moving in. I’m not sure if there is much research on the effectiveness of second life as an educational tool, but as more institutions begin to experiment with it, I’m sure positive outcomes will result in the increased use of this e-learning tool.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think that second life is pretty cool as an alternative, such as on a snow day. Instead of canceling class and having to make it up at a later time, having the students meet in second life might not be a bad idea. It provides the opportunity to interactive and have an exchange in material. Other e-learning interfaces provide this opportunity as well, but this one is certainly a lot more creative and much more you can do with it. For example, if you have class, you can set up a table with (virtual) food and drinks. So if my avatar "needs" a break from the Power Point presentation, I can walk him over and grab a snack and drink.
One thing Professor Snow did mention is that people can get distracted. Even in the classroom it’s hard to keep students’ attention and keep them involved for the entire lesson. I think a problem with e-learning interfaces is students can be doing so many other things and not paying attention to the on-going class. This may also be a problem with a second life class meeting.
The phrase "Anything you can do in real life, you can do in Second Life," is in a way, disturbing to me. While I can see the educational value of Second Life, it's the privacy/safety issue that bothers me. When I asked Mr. Snow (in class) if anyone any age could access Second Life, he said that he didn't think there were any limitations. All I could think of was my 16 year old daughter and my 10 year old son going to one of Second Life's bars to hang out. What safeguards, if any, are in place to prevent minors from entering certain questionable Second Life areas?
ReplyDeleteConcerning educational purposes, I like being in an actual classroom seeing real people. I learn best that way. That's why, so far, I haven't taken any online classes. Brandon, I don't see the difference between online classes and Second Life, except that Second Life is more visual and interactive....and to me, there are just more features to distract me. However, to you younger folks, isn't that more appealing?
The concept is really cool but a bit scarey. It did remind me of the movie "Avatar" and I did like that movie. But Jake eventully wanted to stay in the Avatar world because of his handicap and caring for Neytin . How many would like to create their own surroundings and have total control over their actions? That is what concerns me. Where does virtual reality stop and "real life" begin? Some people seem to have difficulty making that transition. It will be interesting to see how this technology develops. I am all for giving it a try in certain situations. Personally I'm satisfied with my "real life" and enjoy the face to face reality.
ReplyDeleteThis may seem a little weird now, but it's the way things are heading. In that way, I agree 100% with Mr. Snow - programs like Second Life will feature prominently in educational settings in the future. Five years ago I tried to explain to my Mom why Facebook was so great. I can instantly be in contact with friends all over the world, I tried to tell her. No, no, it's just a waste of time she said. Then my brother had a couple kids and guess who's Facebook's number one fan now? Mom. All it took was me setting up her account and showing her the basics of how to navigate the site. Once she got over her fear and actually learned how to use it, she found it was wonderful to be able to keep up with family while a continent away (and with Skype as well). It's natural to be overwhelmed by something new, but we shouldn't let our fear stop us from keeping up with technology. Maybe in five years, it will be required to have a Second Life profile in order to pass a college class, just like it's necessary to have a Facebook profile now in order to post to online blogs.
ReplyDeletePersonally, like Lin said I enjoy "real life", having class face to face. I have a lot of trouble staying focused if I am not in a controlled setting like a classroom. However, despite my personal preference I know that Stephen is right, technology like SL is creeping in and soon will be the norm. I hope that there will be a balance (a continued balance?) of the use of in class and online educational tools. I think that this type of technology is great for expanding the amount of people who are reached by education, but I really think there is no substitute for traditional techniques.
ReplyDeleteIf things like SL and other online learning tools do become the rule rather than the exception, does this change the status? that comes with being a part of the world of higher education?
I think we all know how I feel about this topic! I know I voice my opinion on this virtual life quite often in classes, but that's because I think all of it is 1) impressive and 2) ridiculous! I am still trying to grasp the concept of this whole creation. Technology moves quickly already, so something like this doesn't actually surprise me. However, I'm not sure I can put my full trust into it when it comes to my personal life.
ReplyDeleteI do think there should be an age limit because of all places people can go to while in Second Life. I'm not sure if there are limits and if there are to what extreme are they enforced? My concerns for these restrictions lie with what Lin said about her children having access. I definitely think the material presented in SL is for a mature and adult audience.
I'm not completely against using SL as a means of educational purposes. However, I too think what would be the difference if an instructor were to hold class in a discussion in Blackboard or through Elluminate? I understand the interactions and instruction in SL might be more interactive and visually stimulating, but it also requires that individual to create a character and become apart of this community online.
I would much rather keep something like that for fun or work purposes, I don't think I can say I would trust to have students utilizing it for class reasons. There are too many distractions and it might also lead to an "addiction" that is unnecessary. However, if there are limits and restrictions put on SL it might be just as useful for those only using it for non-personal circumstances.
Great conversation students. You do need to explore this idea - as it does seem to have a place in many arenas, not just education. I don't find SL any more distracting during class than Elluminate - in fact, when in SL, it is obvious if your avatar is not 'there' - in Elluminate, this is not the case. Students can be very distracted while online and, in fact could leave the room and I would not know it (for a while at least). In SL, if you leave - your avatar leaves - if you don't interact, your avatar falls asleep - pretty obvious.
ReplyDeleteI may have been on the side of 'so what' until using it to teach this summer. There is something created in SL - a sense of 'presence' that is not felt during an Elluminate session. I feel like I am talking to my computer, not other people. SL seems to resolve that feeling by create a sense of presence in a place.
The main grid of SL is closed to anyone who is not over 18. That is not to say that someone could not fake their age. There is a 'teen' grid to SL where anyone over 18 has to have a background check run and is not allowed to visit any area that has not been preauthorized. It takes an act of congress for an adult to appear in Teen SL and Linden Labs takes this very seriously. However, in a very short time - Linden Labs is merging the 2 grids and changing their approach. Everyone will be in the same SL - but those under 18 can only visit certain areas. Again - lying has, in the past, seemed to work for those under 18 and could probably still. That is the nature of the Internet. There is no substitution for supervision and education.
I would consider this E-learning. Personally I would prefer face-to-face learning, but in some situations, this would make learning very convenient. Second life gives a whole new definition to distance learning. I agree with Diane, this did seem like the movie “Avatar”. I think it’s amazing what we can do with technology, and a bit scary. Although helpful, it could be very harmful to the essence of personal interactions. I do admire the efforts to appeal to different learning styles.
ReplyDeleteI personally had never heard of second life prior to Professor Snow's class. In my opinion, I view second life similar to that of a video game. I'm not a fan of video games at all. I struggling to understand the ultimate benefits of an environment such as "Second Life." It seems that we can virtually do and be anywhere in the world that we want to. The problem that I have with a program like this is, where do we draw the line between virtual and reality? It amazed me when Professor Snow mentions that people actually spend their hard earned money to purchase "property" that doesn't even really exist. Apparently there have been court disputes about property and disagreements among users of this program. I'm not saying that all aspect of Second Life are bad, I personally don't find it to be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteLike many of my peers, I had not known about SL until Professor Snow's class. Personally, I found it a bit creepy and awkward. However, in thinking about how this technology can be developed, I believe it could be a useful tool in education. Dr. Kellison has a great point that there is more of a 'presence' when holding a class in SL than in Illuminate. The 'physical' nature of SL allows for a more dynamic and engaging learning experience. However, I believe this technology needs to be further developed for educational purposes. I think in a couple of years, SL could be a viable option for online interactive classes.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't see JMU converting to this form of teaching. As different and unique as it is, I do not believe that it would be an effective tool for mulitple types of learners. Personally, I would perform poorly if using this tool. I would get distracted very easily with all that I could do. It sounds awesome but a poor idea for my learning. Someone else might benefit though.
ReplyDeleteI have not used SL in a classroom environment, but a few years ago I checked out the JMU SL campus my old boss was putting together! I think I'd enjoy using SL in the classroom environment over Elluminate. Like Dr. Kellison mentioned, I'd feel more like I was talking to people instead of just my computer screen. Perhaps an online class session would feel less awkward talking to avatars instead a blank screen.
ReplyDeleteI think it's hilarious that people spend real money on SL real estate, like B-rad said above. It will be interesting to see if that virtual real estate ever appreciates like real world property! I doubt it, but it is an interesting thought.
I think virtual worlds are becoming more and more popular, even more so after the release of Avatar. Second Life seems to be the most advanced in terms of social networking. However, their graphics don't seem as up to par as they could be. I tried out Second Life a couple years ago (2008), and then tried it out again last month just to see if it had changed. It really hasn't changed too much, and for a two-year span, I'd expect more. Hopefully if they really want it to take off, they will look into improving the loading times, user-friendliness, and graphics.
ReplyDeleteSecond Life in itself blows my mind and is a quite bit excessive in the extent that it can go to becoming so much like real life. In Professor Snow’s class the discussion we had about all of the technology surrounding SL is pretty fascinating, but it seems as if it is taking it too far. Like Brandon said, “it seems extreme.” That it does in every sense of the word when you think about to what degree or what level is this being taken to, especially with the whole body movement addition to the program. It makes you wonder, what is next? However I feel that it could be interesting to whole class in SL, but like it was said earlier this would become a possible constant distraction, which then may lead to students not grasping all that they may have needed to.
ReplyDeleteI think the most important element of Second Life that sets it apart from other forms of online classrooms is the element of virtual reality. With online classes in elluminate or blackboard, all you can see is a boring web screen with little or no interaction available. Through the use of second life there are the elements of "real life" and personality introduced. You can sit in an actual class room, look out the window at the people passing by or the leaves falling. Students can interact just as the would in class, all guided by your unique personality. Many times these elements are hard to introduce via a web page based discussion board. As I've said in previous posts, this can introduce an element of fun to learning. As we have all learned by now, making something fun can make it more meaningful and memorable, which is the underlying goal of education after all.
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