I was very interested in this second life. I have never heard of it however I am very interested in the website. It reminds me of a Sim style game, in the way that you create your own character and their life. Then through this character you travel around and live a virtal world. Once you have a character then you can interact with others. The website is based on the idea of 3D and this allows you build objects that look real to life.
After seeing the demo for this website I thought that this website looked like fun and a game. I believe the goal is to create a life and survive. I did not understand how I could use this in the classroom without making it just a game? I saw that it is a good way that they can learn about life and how to manage a house or a car, but I was thinking that they need more out of a game.
I went looking for ideas that teachers have used Second City for in their classroom. I found this blog that had 11 ways to use Second Life in the classroom.
- Understanding what 3D is
- Adding a visual element (traveling to Egypt Pyramid
- Data Repository with linkage
- Connection device: online classes, voice with group meetings
- Apply classroom knowledge: business students applying creating a market place
- Team building/critical thinking: discovering resources they need to teach each other
- Research tool: currency exchange with other countries
- Build awareness of virtual tourism
- Social devices
- Create anonymity: confidential information
- Macinema
After seeing Michele Ryan's ideas, I can see where High School or College economics or business class could use this idea. It is a great way for them to explore real life situations in the business world from the classroom. Also, computer designer could use this website to explore this idea of 3D and how to use it. I think that students often learn best when it is seems as if it is a game!
My only concern is will parents or school districts will be nervous having students on the virtual world. With all the situations that have cam up with online worlds, I could understand parents concerns with not wanting their children to use this. So I do not know if you can set it to only certain things in your classroom or only letting students see certain things, but this might help with some of those concerns.
Megan!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great blog on second life. I was nervous to try out this technology and haven't gotten to it yet but I've learned so much through you blog on it. I love your link to the idea of visual data and how students can create their own world. It is also a great to have students communicating in this for of virtual world they may already be used to and have seen before. I too wonder if parents and school districts would be concerned with this form of technology but if you were open and honest with them parents could opt their children out of this activity.
Great post I learned a lot!
Megan,
ReplyDeleteVery good post. I almost used Second Life for my New Literacies Project. However, I feel that parts of it may be inappropriate for the classroom. Michele Ryan has put together a great slideshow, but I am still weary about it. People can 'chat' you from all over the world saying ANYTHING they want! This may not be the best for high schoolers, despite their older age in comparison to elementary school students. When talking to my current TE Language Arts Professor about Second Life, she mentioned that there is a lot of sex and violence too. You can only do so much to protect your classroom from 'creepy' Second Life Citzens. Just something to think about.
Great post,
Kaitlyn