Second Life In An Academic Library: A Pilot Project Library instruction in a 3D virtual world Denyse Rodrigues & DeNel Rehberg Sedo February 2008.

Second Life In An Academic Library: A Pilot Project

Library instruction in a 3D virtual world

Denyse Rodrigues & DeNel Rehberg Sedo

February 2008

What is Second Life?

The buzz . . . Everyone’s in SL Business large and small Non profits Universities and colleges Government interest

Research: Second Life for Academic purposes

being used as a service point for both business and universities

differentiated from other online gaming environments and redefined as a community space

systematic research to define Second Life as a platform for course delivery just beginning to be published

Research: MMOs in education(Massively Multiplayer Online environments/games/worlds)

helps develop “the motivation for an extended engagement” that is crucial to mastering a complex body of knowledge (Gee, 2004).

“students learn in a flow state where they are not just passive recipients of knowledge, but active learners who are in control of the learning activity and are challenged to reach a certain goal” (Peng, 2004)

Nuts & bolts

Could a small academic library with no budget and little experience in SL effectively use this platform?

Considerations:

Costs

Less than $1 Can. $250 Linden = $1 U.S. (Jan. 2007)

Avatars – free Space – free courtesy of the kind

generousity of the Info Island Library Groups – $90 Linden

(9 groups @ $10 Linden each)

PowerPoint presentation - $110 Linden (11 slides @ $10 Linden each)

Second life - groups

Groups allow for private group chats and logs

Second Life – chat/IM history and logs

Re-sizable chat windows and ability to save chat logs was ideal for class discussion

Second Life - teleporting

Teleporting allowed us to bring the class together in one location within Second Life

The course

Employee relations/internal communications taught by Dr. DeNel Rehberg Sedo

Objectives were a good fit with using SLa) evaluate this new teaching and learning

environment; and b) help students better understand how to critically

evaluate the various communication tools and social environments available to them in the workplace.

The classes

4th year cohort 2 sections with 25 students each 6 class meetings in Second Life (out of 24) Reasons for use of Second Life clearly

outlined in syllabus Recording and posting of SL class logs to

course site clearly stated and student permission obtained to use logs for research

Evaluation included working on group wikis and a final research paper

SL Class 1

“Introduction to CULTURE in Second Life”

SL Class 2

Scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunt: Crayon public relations firm in SL

Scavenger hunt: Aspects of Learning

Chat log excerpt – dual learning curve

S. B: Okay, my inherent problem is that for no reason, I keep being launched into space and I can't come down haha

A. A: its a learning curve but in a classroom we dont have the time to play around and figure things out

B. H: That is very true O. B: I think the functions of this world

really works our ability to multitask and be able to take everything in at onc

SL Class 3

Small group work

Group IM log - Tensions between discomfort, course work and play A. M: I actually like this second life thing it's pretty neat A. M: hehe I am a nerd P. R: Hey guys, it's really quiet in here... it's kinda creepy M. M: i'm doing ok the questions are almost done A. M: yeah everyone is dedicated to the tech P. R: and yet we are all communicatiing M. M: thas deep dude P. R: cool A. M: how about we have a dance off instead? A. M: haha P. R: how do we dance? A. M: F9

SL Class 4

Meeting with CC Chapman

Class IM log – evaluation of information sources

DD: thats mymain problem with these mediums.the freedom is great but there's no regulation

AY: but why should everyone have their say when tehy aren't an expert FA: WHat abour freedom of speech A? SS: what's an expert? AY: no credibility SS: think about collaborative knowledge production. FA: but what is credible? credibility is a matter of opinion within us. I may

feel a doctor is credible, others may not KK: hearing other people's views and thoughts on a subject can open

others minds...I think it's a great thing AY: no I trust credible sources such as lierary and academic

publications...obvioulsy the media is slanted and you would be a fool to take any of that at face value...same is for the web with this sort of thing growing

SL Class 5

Overview of final assignment & research strategies – traditional setting

SL Class 6

Class discussion

Class outcomes

21 of the 39 students wrote above average reflective and well-researched final papers that integrated their own experiences of Second Life.

All of the students in the course were able to demonstrate acceptable critical analysis of communication and information gathering tools, processes and networks.

Expectations and realities . . .

Expectations and realities

Web savvy students

Most well versed in chat, email, and social networking

Unfamiliar with second life Several students at first uncomfortable

with gaming nature of the environment

Expectations and realities

‘Griefing’ and intrusions

No instances of harassment A couple of avatars politely asked to

be included in our conversation

Expectations and realities

Technical learning curve & limitations

Steep learning curve Controlling your avatar Creating groups Recording logs Working with scripts and objects Troubleshooting with students

Not always a stable platform time lags, teleporting problems

Expectations and realities

On-campus option would mitigate some technical difficulties

Lab required downloads every class Assistance essential for the first 2 classes

Allowed for troubleshooting and assistance during orientation session

Some students found communicating online while being in a shared physical space disconcerting

After first 2 classes several students logged in from home or other labs

Expectations and realities

Course content was integrated with use of SL

Some students were concerned by time spent in SL and were uncomfortable with its use in the course

More focused on grades

Some students saw the connections, enjoyed the element of play and the opportunities to experience the new environment

Expectations and realities

Meeting in virtual environment would mitigate some in-class inequities

Some students reported group conversations were too fast paced for them to participate

Classes reading the other groups transcripts were not able to identify participants

Expectations and realities

High levels of engagement

A high level of engagement among students and instructors

Reactions were both pro and con

Things to consider . . .

Considerations:

Risk taking

Both very stressful and exciting Increased need for facilitation and

support Takes time Newness of the environment seem to

invite a questioning and critical climate

Considerations:

Avatars

How does real life affect online identities?

How do you decide what/who is legitimate?

What are the implications for the classroom?

Considerations:Collaboration with faculty

Worked together previously Trust Roles well defined Good communication Debriefed after each SL class

Considerations:

Resources and support

Second Life Library on Info Island I & II Librarians were tremendously generous with

time and resources Tours and orientation sessions Free educational scripts and tools available Space can be booked (Lori Bell/Lorelei Junot)

Administrative & collegial support supportive workplace and University Librarian

(Donna Bourne-Tyson/Laken Burns) MacMaster SL librarian (Krista Godfrey/Danu

Dhalstrom)

Recommendations

Be prepared for how much control you are willing to give up before getting a second life.

Prepare for a steep learning curve and technological glitches.

Build in opportunities to discuss the dual learning process with the students.

If the course is to be delivered in both a f2f and an online environment, do not meet more than once in a lab setting.

Utilize small group discussions. Consider mixing delivery methods across technologies

and f2f environments.

What’s next?

MSVU storefront Services by request of faculty and/or

students

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