Using Virtual World Technologies Across the Disciplines

The Year in Review

Presented at the Teaching with Technology ConferenceTexas A&M University

February 10, 2011

Copyright 2011 Cindy Raisor, Wendy Kenney-Kennicutt, Rochell R. McWhorter, Rob McGeachin, Amanda Nowlin-Obanion & Jim Snell

Our Second Life® Faculty Panel

Rochell McWhorter Avatar: Rachelle Munro

Wendy Kenney-Kennicutt Avatar: Julia Tiraxibar

Amanda Nowlin-Obanion Avatar: Sailor Flux

Jim Snell Avatar: JimS Seid

Cindy RaisorAvatar: Marnie Mehler

Rob McGeachin Avatar: Murdock Steuart

Overview1. Why do you use Virtual World

Technology (VWT)?

Lessons Learned2. How have you implemented VWT

into your courses successfully, i.e. what works? what doesn’t?1. Planning2. Implementing3. Assessing4. Following Up


1. What does SL offer beyond tools/options offered in more traditional contexts?

(Why do you use it?)


2. What suggestions can you offer for implementing VWT into your courses successfully in each of these stages?

A. PlanningB. Implementing/Instructing C. AssessingD. Following Up



1. Planning As you plan for a course that will use Second Life®--Determine how the

technology will help you achieve your learning objectives and communicate this clearly to your students. If the students don’t understand why you are using Second Life®, they won’t fully benefit from your instruction with it.

Survey your students’ understanding, uses, and perceptions about technologies. This will help you know where to begin instruction, how large the learning curve will be, and how much time to allow for basic training.

Use the technology for multiple activities or assignments. Since SL requires an investment of time and research from the instructor and training for the student, you should plan to coordinate multiple activities that build upon the skills the student is learning.

Learn how to use the most important tools in SL (moving, communicating, working with inventory, etc.) so that you can make the most of your time with the students.

Explore the tools for instructors in the virtual TAMU Learning Center where you can receive instruction and free teaching tools that can be used in your virtual space.

Have a space where your class can call home.

Use an Ethernet connection (over wireless) for connecting to SL.

Use a headset with microphone. Using the microphone on your computer may result in an echo for your listeners.

Test procedures and technologies in SL before class. Have a second avatar with only “student” level rights to test things you set up for students to make sure it works correctly for them. As “instructors” we may have rights that let us do things the students can’t that may override something that is a problem for the students.


As you implement Second Life® into your instruction—

Tag team your presentation so that while one avatar is presenting, another can be typing the highlights in the chat box for everyone to read, reinforcing what was said and providing a written transcript. (This procedure also helps with audio problems.)

Review the why as much as the how. You may want to begin instruction by asking the students what they are learning and then proceed by connecting these experiences to your objectives and to other technologies with which they are already familiar.

Provide time during class (or in discussion blogs) for students to express any concerns they have about using this technology and encourage them to answer one another’s questions, i.e., use the opportunity to encourage critical thinking and problem solving. Consider discussing any technology or other key issues in class so that students learn from one another and they feel vested in the innovative use of the technology you are using.

2. Implementing


Use every opportunity as a “teachable moment.” Sometimes the unexpected happens (for example, your avatar may load without all of his/her clothing; it really happens!). Help your students to see your sense of humor and your positive attitude.

Consider holding virtual office hours, especially during times when you may not be available to hold face-to-face meetings.


As you assess how well (or not) Second Life® worked to meet your learning outcomes--

Reflect on what you did: what worked and what didn't. Involve students in these reflections. Consider asking students to respond to prompts in their professional blogs about their experiences with the technology. These can also be incorporated later into their professional portfolios in the sections where they describe uses of technology or their ability to learn new things. Example Discussion Prompt: Explain to an outsider (ex: recruiter) how you met challenges prompted by a new technology. How will these skills transfer in the workplace?

3. Assessing


Establish control and experimental groups (if you have large or multiple sections) and compare the results of your assessment tools from each group.

Network with your professional peers. Join SL groups, attend conferences, etc. where you can learn

from the experiences of others using SL. Two places to begin include Virtual World Roundtable and Train for Success.

Be available for research opportunities. Graduate students exploring how VWT can be used to increase spatial ability and understanding of complex theories may seek your help as they complete their graduate research.

4. Following Up


Using Virtual World Technologies Across the Disciplines

Education

Transcript of Using Virtual World Technologies Across the Disciplines