So, as you guys already know, I'm going through the Library Science program as SJSU right now. SJSU SLIS just recently purchased an island in SecondLife, and the instructors are now being urged to deliver their courses, or some aspects of their courses, in this environment. Since this seems to be the way the program is going, I've created an account and an avatar and gone to the island to have a look around. Learning to get around, fly, look at stuff, etc. wasn't too difficult, but it is definitely different and takes some getting used to.
I've been out to the island a couple of times. No one else seems to be around when I'm there; it's a virtual ghost town. There is a student union-type area with lounge chairs and a pool table; a "community sandbox", which I think is an area for building objects; and different areas with SecondLife tutorials and such.
There are a couple of concerns that I have about potentially attending lectures for my classes in SecondLife: First of all, I'm in the market for a new laptop. If I want to get a PC (which I do), it will come with Windows Vista as the operating system...which isn't supported by SecondLife, so I wouldn't be able to attend my lectures using my new computer (or I'd have to get a computer with Vistas Pro, then buy a copy of XP and downgrade. What a lot of time and money I shouldn't have to spend!). Also, I guess I'm just not comfortable with the format yet. Would I have to read the lecture as the instructor types to the class, or will there be streaming audio? How will questions be handled?
I'm excited about new technologies and new ways to implement them, but in some cases I really like traditional methods better. Hardly any of the classes in my program have regular class meetings any more, and I think that's a shame. Maybe I just feel I learn more when I'm actually immersed in a learning environment, rather than sitting on my sofa or at my desk pretending to be.
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3 comments:
I am looking forward to the opportunity to play around on Second Life. I am hoping to use it as a virtual classroom for my distance learning lectures. Does anyone know if De Anza has an "island" in second life?
I don't think so...maybe we should see what Brian Murphy has to say about starting a De Anza island. You could purchase a couple of private acres for yourself and your students, though! I think land use fees start at like $10 per month.
I look forward to seeing what you think about Second Life. You seem to have the right amount of skepticism while still being basically open to the experience. I think too many people are taken in by the "whiz bang" of some of the new technologies without being critical about whether or not the technology truly facilitates learning.
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