Teaching and Learning Experiences in a User-Created Virtual World

Teaching and Learning Experiences in a User-Created Virtual World

Metropolitan B, 3rd Floor (Sheraton Hotel)

* David M. Antonacci, Educational Technology Liaison, The University of Kansas Medical Center

* Stephanie Gerald, Web Designer/Developer (e-Learning Specialist), The University of Kansas Medical Center

* David Thomas, Lecturer, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center

Second Life is a user-created virtual world simultaneously played by thousands of people around the world. In this session, we'll share our experiences of teaching in Second Life. Using the interaction combinations integration model we developed as a framework, we will describe our projects, outcomes, and recommendations.

They began in SL on NMC Campus. 140, 124, 116

They are currently creating an operating room in SL.

Skyart Seurat

Pietro Maracas

Joanna TrailBlazer

Professor Beliveau

Corwin Carrilon

They immediately ran into sound issues.

Over half of the audience had an avatar.

Questions: How can we teach with this.

Three basic ways for teaching and learning in SL.

Classes like gaming and virtual communities

Using as a communication medium

Discussions

Lectures

Presentations

Student built deliverables

Using is for learning activities.

They have come up with a model that uses interactions in three combinations:

People/People

People/Object

Object/Object

Professor Beliveau uses this to deliver lectures, allow students to report their work, and they also use a blog. Two classes: field research in virtual worlds, then the field research class with advanced techniqes -- a semester long field research project. No coding or building. Careful about subject protection.

David Thomas uses SL to teach architecture and urban planning and uses SL as a lab. Because he teaches environmental design he can use SL itself to study places in SL. He sends them off on field trips in SL. There are some building activities where they have to compete or cooperate. Students all hated building in Second Life. These students have used CAD software. Dynamic, active, independent learning. His one rule: "Don't do anything on screen that will get your teacher fired."

R.? Hollingsworth

She says that she is not facile with Second Life. Librarians in Second Life from University of Kentucky first introduced her to SL. Caladon Library exhibits. Recruiters are using it as a way to experiment with role-playing "how to be a scholar" and how colleges work. "Between shadow and light: comingling between virtual realities"

A panelist from Hong Kong who didn't identify himself

For a year, teachers group in SL. Usually sometime between 20 to 40 teachers all meet to meet in SL. He also teaches courses in how to teach using Web 2.0. He talked about being a professional development professional.

Someone asked about scripting and another asked about finances.

One panelist has been using the free services for two years.

Question: Hints on how to convince administrations in conservative institutions

Univ. of Kentucky decided to buy an island to "protect" the students.

What is the future of this in higher education? In about three to five years from now it will be a part of what we do as teachers. About 25 % of our teachers will be using this. There are lots of virtual worlds.