Thanks for your inputs about SL. In fact, I am doing a study on SL and it is great to find out how others think about it.

More schools and universities are setting up their virtual campuses in SL. As written in this article:
“Whether it has pedagogical power or not, UK universities are certainly starting to show an interest. Fifteen have already spent several thousand pounds on “land” in Second Life, its parent company Linden Lab reckons. Oxford University’s computing service is running a six-month trial for university members. Leicester University bought “land” three weeks ago. Edinburgh and others beat them to it.”

We have come to an “e” world where learning has also become “e-learning”. That shows how a breakthrough technology can reshape learning. Professionals have identified the potentials of using SL as an e-learning tool.

NASA also built a visual museum in SL which allows visitors to watch videos, simulations and etc.

Some professionals think it encourages the students to participate in academic discussion as it is less intimidating that the actual face-to-face discussion. I can’t stop wondering, if a student feels uneasy to participate in class, what should an educator do to encourage him?

a) “Ok, you don’t have to talk if you don’t like it. Just type and hide your face as long as you wish.” or,
b) “Kelvin, what do you think? Perhaps you want to share a little?”

As this student said:”You are hiding behind your avatar [3D character],” says Branch. “It makes you feel more confident and involved…” If this is the objective of using SL to learn, do we want to shape the younger generation this way? Hiding behind computers and away from human interaction?

Are we turning into Morpheus in Matrix?

My question is, how far do we tolerate with students’ interest and desire when it comes to learning?

Is it just because playing game is fun (or they LOVE playing games), then we would use game as a learning tool?

I agree that learning through a thoughtful application of SL will significantly enhance the experience and transfer of learning. No doubt, there are so many considerations and sensibilities to be studied before we take our students into the “second world”.

My another question is, why SL? For learning purposes, there are many great e-learning tools such as adobe captivate, online-forums, interactive simulation software and etc.

SL is different than other 2D collaborative tools because it is 3D and interactive. It uses avatar as a representation of yourself and over the time, you associate with it and you feel for your avatar. It’s developed by a commercial provider (profit-driven), not by education sector (control over the contents is limited). That generates controversy over moral issues, appropriateness as learning tool and etc.

So, how appropriate and effective SL is as a learning tool?

Posted under Thoughts & musings | [3] Comments