Presentation given at PLAT 2008. Special Interest Group Discussion. Second Life: another world in which to teach and learn.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the individual Simon Bignell and not University of Derby.
Second Life: another world in which to teach and learn
1. University of Derby
Centre for Psychological Research
PLAT2008
Special Interest Group Discussion
Second Life: another
world in which to
teach and learn
Simon Bignell
s.bignell@derby.ac.uk
4. Blended Learning Revisited: An
Exploration of Undergraduate Experiential
Learning in 3D Virtual Environments
• Project, the design, preparation, planning,
development of the virtual teaching space
and lessons learnt.
5. Teaching
• What would the ideal classroom look like?
• The secret was there all along…
– ‘SL-Labs’…slabs! Exposed learning spaces…
9. Lessons Learnt
• Traditional teaching approach is not adequate
• ‘No man is an Island’ (Don’t personalise)
• Collaboration and distribution are best
• SL has novelty value that can endure
• Form follows function
• Avoid distractions wherever possible
• 1 prim can do the job of 20 (textures/script)
• Most students don’t like Second Life! (at first)
• Emphasise activities not teaching
10. Teaching in Second Life
• Second Life provides an opportunity for:
– Collaboration and community.
– Research and interaction.
– Classes and class projects in a virtual world.
• Activity-based learning
• Authentic assessment
• Leveraging a game-based culture
• Easy to configure, create and modify
11. Teaching in Second Life
• Works well with…
– Level 3 undergraduates comfortable with controls of Second Life.
– Students who see themselves as early adopters.
– Staff who see themselves as partners in learning, early adopters and
readily available.
• Not so good …
– Postgraduate & overseas students
unfamiliar with environment, learning
approach and cultural differences.
– Staff who see themselves as
“traditional” teachers, presenting
materials, scheduled office hours,
etc.
12. Summary
• Teaching in Second Life at Higher Education level…
– Challenging
– Requires planning and continual development
– Needs a flexible attitude towards learning
– Possibly requires relinquishing control to the learner
– Enthusiasm and belief in the platform as a tool not a game
– Support from scripters and builders
– A reflective and action-oriented approach to teaching methods
– Lots and lots and lots of time to ensure it has value for students
– If Second Life doesn’t improve your students’ learning experience
don’t use it!
Simon Bignell (Avatar: Milton Broome) s.bignell@derby.ac.uk
Blog: http://miltonbroome.com In Second Life as SL-Labs