My Second Life: Using a Virtual World to Enhance Communication in an Internet-Based Class Mike Phillips (aka Roche Darwin) Natural Sciences, Illinois Valley.

My Second Life:Using a Virtual World to

Enhance Communication in an Internet-Based Class

My Second Life:Using a Virtual World to

Enhance Communication in an Internet-Based Class

Mike Phillips (aka Roche Darwin)Natural Sciences, Illinois Valley Community College

Geography-Geology, Illinois State University

Bill Shields (aka Zeppo Romano)Geography-Geology, Illinois State University




The On-line Class:Another Venue

The On-line Class:Another Venue

Goal: equivalent to traditional coursesstudent experiencesstudent outcomes

Concern: communicationengaging the studentsproviding motivationensuring comprehension

Goal: equivalent to traditional coursesstudent experiencesstudent outcomes

Concern: communicationengaging the studentsproviding motivationensuring comprehension

Access to materialsposted on web sitelinks to primary resourceslinks to current eventslinks to engaging materials

Asychronous discussionsthoughtful & reflectiveless stressfuleasy to followconveniently graded

Quick feedback to students

Access to materialsposted on web sitelinks to primary resourceslinks to current eventslinks to engaging materials

Asychronous discussionsthoughtful & reflectiveless stressfuleasy to followconveniently graded

Quick feedback to students

Benefits of Going On-LineBenefits of Going On-Line

Concerns with Going On-LineConcerns with Going On-Line

Loose scheduleCommunication

tends to be one-on-onemisinterpretationsback and forth can take days

Difficult to “read” the classDifficult to provide experiences

Students become disengaged

Loose scheduleCommunication

tends to be one-on-onemisinterpretationsback and forth can take days

Difficult to “read” the classDifficult to provide experiences

Students become disengaged

Engaging StudentsEngaging Students

Blended classespart on-line & part face-to-faceanytime-anyplace is compromised

Virtual world - 2nd Lifecompletely on-line“face-to-face” opportunitiesanytime is compromisedanyplace preserved

Blended classespart on-line & part face-to-faceanytime-anyplace is compromised

Virtual world - 2nd Lifecompletely on-line“face-to-face” opportunitiesanytime is compromisedanyplace preserved

Second LifeSecond Life

Virtual worldReal-time interactionClassroom settingDisplay areaVirtual experiences

www.secondlife.com

Virtual worldReal-time interactionClassroom settingDisplay areaVirtual experiences

www.secondlife.com

Create inviting spacesClassroomOfficeDisplay

Required orientation2nd LifeCourse introduction

Create inviting spacesClassroomOfficeDisplay

Required orientation2nd LifeCourse introduction

Keys to SuccessKeys to Success

Benefits of 2nd Life:Classroom

Benefits of 2nd Life:Classroom

A “Place” to meetReal-time interaction

PresentationOpen Q & A

A “Place” to meetReal-time interaction

PresentationOpen Q & A

Benefits of 2nd Life:Display Areas

Benefits of 2nd Life:Display Areas

Geology in “3-D”Student work

Geology in “3-D”Student work

NOAA Island: tsunamiNOAA Island: tsunami

Benefits of 2nd Life:Virtual Experiences

Benefits of 2nd Life:Virtual Experiences

Student ReactionStudent Reaction

Positive response on evaluationsEnhanced understandingHigh attendanceCreative avatars

Positive response on evaluationsEnhanced understandingHigh attendanceCreative avatars

Bottom LineBottom Line

This is importantThis is engaging

What to do…What to do…

Go to secondlife.comcreate an accountdownload the program

Go to 2nd Lifeinstall the programlog oncomplete the orientation programexplore…

Go to secondlife.comcreate an accountdownload the program

Go to 2nd Lifeinstall the programlog oncomplete the orientation programexplore…

Thank you!Thank you!

Visit us in Second Life atIllinois State University’s Geo Island!




Visit us in Second Life atIllinois State University’s Geo Island!




My Second Life: Using a Virtual World to Enhance Communication in an Internet-Based Class Mike Phillips (aka Roche Darwin) Natural Sciences, Illinois Valley.

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