Educational Uses for Second Life

Communities of Practice in Second Life

 

Unknown author. (July 2009) Virtual Environments Enable New Models of Learning. Second Life Grid, Linden Research, Inc. Retrieved on July 27, 2009 from http://secondlifegrid.net/slfe/education-use-virtual-world.  This article was published by Linden Research, Inc. who is the developer of Second Life. The short article explains some uses of the virtual world, however, the bulk of the article gives Educational case studies. The one of the educational site mentioned in the article was The International Society for Technology Education, or ISTE. ISTE offers members benefits and resources that include: volunteer assistance; scheduled tours, speaker series, and educational uses of SL; learning from other educators and how they are using SL; tools to help educational uses of SL; and additional tutorials to help you land on your feet in SL.

 

Open University was developed by Anna Peachey, (2009). Providing Geographical Dispersed Students and Faculty a Place to Meet and Learn Together. Linden Research, Inc. Retrieved on July 27, 2009 from http://secondlifegrid.net.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/Second_Life_Case_OpenU_EN.pdf. Ms. Peachey realized that the development the university in hopes of increasing student classroom attendance, and effective ways to communicate, and collaborate, Students adopted SL as their classroom and home. The students requested homes near the university as well as planned events for life outside the university. The best thing about the world in SL is that if educators find a place in this world that pertains to their own teaching area they may find it easier to sway skepticism and creativity.

 

In her blog, Eloise Pasture, (2007). Education explores Second Life. Second Life Insider. Retrieved on July 27, 2009 from http://www.secondlifeinside007/02/18/education-explores-second-live/ talks about new resources found on SL. Such as, Edinburg University School of Information, the University of South Queensland and the Queensland Government are the first of SL’s education institutes. Pasture also gave a fairly current site to find the list of islands in SL. The list can be found on the Sim Teach wiki site.

 

Unknown author, (2009). Virtual World Simulation Training Prepares Real Guards on the US-Canadian Border: Loyalist College in Second Life. Linden Research, Inc. Retrieved on July 27, 2009 from http://secondlifegrid.net.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/Second_Life_Case_Loyalist_EN.pdf. Canadian border guards were introduced to a simulation of a virtual border crossing in Canada. The results from the newly instituted virtual training increased critical skills test scores from 56% in 2007 to 95% in 2008. The Director of Educational Technology at Loyalist College in Second Life created the training simulation. Former students with the SL classroom helped developed new virtual learning environments.

 

In the article from Second Life In Education: Exploring the Educational Uses of Second Life (2009). Second Life in Education. Retrieved on July 27, 2009 from http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/educationaluses the author discusses the history, uses, and educational sites in SL. If you want a quick reference to the educational sites this would be a great place to start. The names of the sites are listed and a brief description of that site.

 

Each of the sites reviewed gave a brief history of Second Life. The cases showed that Second Life is a good resource and tool for education.

I see it all the time. RSS feed. What the heck is that? Well, I have been enlighted by the article written by  Seitzinger, Joyce (2006, summer2006). Be Constructive: Blogs, Podcasts, and Wikis as Constructivist Learing Tools. The eLearning Guild’s Learning Solutions e-Magazine. Retrieved July 20, 2009 from http://www.elearningguild.com/articles/abstracts/index.cfm?id=190&action=viewonly, I get more of a definition of RSS feed. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Now how easy is that? This feed collects the latest news and media based on an interest specified by the user. If technology did not have the RSS feeders then we would not have blogs, wikis, podcasts, or any of the latest technology tools.  

 

When researching the use of RSS feeders I came up with plenty of lists and articles using the feeders but not much on the RSS feeder itself. However, an article written by Robert Vamosi (2004). RSS: why it’s important. Cnet: Internet services. Retrieved July 23, 2009 from http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10088_7-5143460-1.html, gave me a glossary, various reviews on different feeders, and a few more articles about feeders. The glossary terms are terms already familiar to me so I will go to the different articles to see if there is something more to know.

 

Well I did not know that Google is trying to upset the feeder world. Apparently, Google has gone with a feeder called Atom format instead of the RSS format. The author explains that the RSS community has a basic culture that cares for its users and any move from that culture could destroy the foundation of RSS users. The article was written by Paul Festa (2004). Google spurns RSS for rising blog format. Retrieved July 23, 2009 from http://news.cnet.com/Google-spurns-RSS-for-rising-blog-format/2100-1032_3-5157662.html?tag=rb_content%25252525253brb_mtx. This article did not actually mention education but it is important as technology educators to keep abreast of any turmoil in the industry.

 

 

Podcasts in

I had not heard of Podcasting until I began my studies. Again I realize just how novice I was when I began Full Sail. Podcasting seems to be a great educational tool. I would think that with a audio/visual learner it would be very beneficial.

 

In the article written by  Seitzinger, Joyce (2006, summer2006). Be Constructive: Blogs, Podcasts, and Wikis as Constructivist Learing Tools. The eLearning Guild’s Learning Solutions e-Magazine. Retrieved July 20, 2009 from http://www.elearningguild.com/articles/abstracts/index.cfm?id=190&action=viewonly, gives the reader several defenses to using Podcasts. For Instance, learners are engaged in an authentic problem. She gives an example of a courtroom judgment. Podcasts are made regarding the witnesses, lawyers, and the judge. The viewers were able to experience the trial due to the intimate exchange of the podcast.  She also discusses the feedback on the Podcast gives more of a social presence for the student.

 

From the article Audioblogging and Podcasting in Education by Tan Yuh Huann, Mong Kok Thong  (2005) Audioblogging and Podcasting in Education. Edu.mall: Ministry of Education. Retrieved July 20, 2009 from http://moeuxwp03.moe.gov.sg/edumall/rd/litreview.htm the similarities of audioblogging and podcasting were compared. The similarities are content type; the RSS feeds are used for syndication; and the appeal of the internet audience. Some of the differences are the nature of the content; the modes of expression; and interaction with the audience. Depending on your needs and the audience either would be acceptable use.

 

Going further into the area of the use of Podcasts in education the author sees three different phases in the learning process: content-creation, publishing and subscription. The producing involved in Podcasts are skills that will be handy in the working world. Publishing motivates the students to improve on their own work.

 

The author then breaks down information on where to find schools using Podcasts to starting and needs of Podcasting. This was a great article for information.

 

Cebeci and Tekdal created a study on Podcasts as Audio Learning Objects. Cebeci, Zeynel and Tekdal, Mehmet (2006) Using Podcasts as Audio Learning Objects. Interdisplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects, Vol2. 47-57. Retrieved on July 20, 2009 from http://ijklo.org/Volume2/v2p047-057Cebeci.pdf.

The authors explain the importance of Podcasts in education. Podcasts serves mobile learning so because many students already have access to mobile devices are familiar with the use of Podcasts which gives it instant-application potential for education. Then you have learning through listening which may be more attractive to some learners. Also, it is beneficial to sight impaired students.

 

Twitter and Education

Using Twitter in Education

 

I found an article about Twitter that was easy to understand and made sense of the social network as an educational tool. Nick Campbell (March,2009) Twitter for Education. Message posted to www.tienetwork.org/content/view/302. Twitter has become the most prevalent social networking site today. It allows users 140 characters to tell your followers “what is going on” in your world. Some people have found that following Twitter gets a bit boring so they have begun to use the site to post interesting links, books, photos, and questions for their followers.

 

“Some of the uses for education are:

1.     Send reminders to your students about assignments and tests.

2.     Send extra information as you find it without filling up the student’s inboxes.

3.     Twitter breeds the ability to communicate in short, meaningful blurps.

4.     Encourages collaboration and peer feedback. Post a link or a question for students to respond to together.” (2009)

 

I found an  article from Mike Lovell (2009) Twitter in the Classroom: How Dr. Monica Rankin Uses Technology to Enhance Discussion. Message posted to http://interfolio.com/blog/post.cfm/twitter-in-the-classroom-how-monica-rankin-uses-technology-to-enhance-discussion. Dr. Rankin uses Twitter in her auditorium classroom. She has students Twitter questions and respond to other classmates during her lecture. Students used their laptops, mobile phones and used hand written notes. Students in a large setting are able to feel as if they are part of a smaller classroom.  

Social Bookmarking in Education

 In an article by Rebecca Hedreen (2005). Frequently Answered Questions: Questions Answered by the Distance Education Librarian at Buley Library, Southern Connecticut State University. This is an Experiment in Distance Education Library Communications. Retrieved on July 14, 2009 from http://frequanq.blogspot.com/2005/02/social-bookmarking-in-education.html.

The idea of using Furl as a depository for research documents kept the author organized throughout his research. Furl and Delicious are web based so it was easy to retrieve any information whether at home, school, or work. One of the most positive aspects of tagging is that when educators try to sift through millions of sites that may or may not be there the next time you want it. When you tag the sight it will be there the next time you need it.

 

Groups use these sites as collaborative sites to establish unique tags to help group related links for their projects. What is great about these sites is that other people can add to your bookmarks, which will help the author in research for his/her topic.

 

Another site for educators is www.edutagger.com. This site has set up blogs from educators on various subjects, such as, widgets for your site, and articles on education. Educators can post their own bookmarks and social networks on this site or set it up on your own web site.

Blogging for me

Gerry McGovern (2004) New Thinking: Blogs and blogging: advantages and disadvantages. Retrieved July 2009) http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/new_thinking.htm states, “Isn’t it interesting that some of the most significant ‘revolutions’ of the last twenty years have all had to do with writing?” We now communicate using websites, forums, blogs, and collaborative tools. Businesses and educators are now open to various views on whatever subject is at hand.

 

What is a blog? WordPress (2009).  Introduction to Blogging. Retrieved July 2009) from http://www.wordpress.org.  WordPress describes a blog as an “abbreviated version of “weblog”, which is a term used to describe web sites that maintain an ongoing chronicle of information”. I have not been much of a participant of blogs until beginning my Master’s program. I have begun to read and respond to various blogs regarding education today. One of my projects for next year is setting up a blog on my web page. I am working with the IT department to allow the use as a tool for my classes.

 

Each day the elective classes have a journal writing time. Most students felt that this was a waste of time and did not see the need. I plan to incorporate the blog to replace the journal writing. I really want to know what my students are thinking. I think it is important for students to know what their peers are thinking.  It will be interesting to see the students reflections’ on topics discussed. Beverly Ray and Gail Coulter, (2008). Reflective practices amount language arts teachers: The use of weblogs. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 8(1). Retrieved from http://www.citejournal.org/vol8/iss1/languagarts/article1.cfm. states that within blogs that there is some metacognition in the entry. It important to allow students to reflect on what they are learning in class and on the events of the day and how they relate to what they are studying.