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Post details: Learning in the virtrual World of Second Life

02/21/2007

Learning in the virtrual World of Second Life

As you may know already, I'm now exploring the virtual world of Second Life (SL). It's not that I want to do computer games, but I want to find out if it is possible to do learning in a virtual Environment.

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I found some interesting classes that take place in SL directly. These classes normally teach SL-stuff like orientation for newcomers. They tell the people how they can move and what they can do in SL. There are also building classes. These are interesting for 3D artists. Here you can learn how to build things that you can use or sell in SL.

Especially jewelry classes are very popular, but you can also build furniture or vehicles. These things, that you have built yourself, can be copied and sold for virtual money. With this money you can buy other things from other people, for example clothing. Clothes-making classes are also very popular in SL.

Especially for clothes, you need some knowledge about using graphic software. Other stuff like furniture or even houses can be built with the SL-Client alone. For the clothing classes you often get an introduction to graphic programs like Photoshop, paint shop or "the gimp".

Most of the classes are fee of charge. So you don't need virtual or real money to get some education in SL. Some classes cost a small amount of money but I was very surprised about the quality of the free classes. So I did not try any paid class yes. Behind these classes you may find large companies like NETg. This company already offers online training in the real World on the Internet for several years.

But you will also find classes with non-SL related topics. Meanwhile there are also language classes. But I miss a voice option here. Some people use external software like ventrilo, teamspeak or skype as a workaround. Sometimes this is problematic, because you need a lot of Internet bandwidth to do both applications at the same time.

Most classes are done via text chat. That's not bad if you want to read or write a language. For learning to speak, there are other solutions like Skypecast or Talkshoe, which are based on voice.

But you won't miss visual aids in SL classes. During building classes, the teachers often use a model to show the building steps. With this visual information, it is easier to understand how the parts are placed and connected. Other classes like script programming or graphic topics are using screenshots to help understanding.

What makes the virtual world so attractive for learning? It's a step back, because an advantage of online learning is that you are independent and you can learn where and when you want.

The only thing that you may miss in online learning is social contact to other students. If your neighbors have problems, you can give him a hint. If you have a Question, you can ask immediately. That helps a lot to avoid (or solve) misunderstandings.

It's easy to get problems solved immediately. You just type "help" in the chat and the teacher comes over and see what your problem is.

I believe virtual Worlds like SL are an alternative for learning. Maybe not a replacement for other methods to learn, but it may be a good extension.

02/21/2007 11:58:39, von Marian

, 557 words, 962 views

Categories: Podcast

2 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Erin Quick-Laughlin [Visitor] · http://www.athena.net

I agree that the visual element is very key - after the tools become easier and the community expands further on models, I can see SL used to express everything you've ever wanted to put on the whiteboard. But this board is 3d, capable of exploding objects, saving them, allowing others to collaborate and edit, viewable by multiple angles and transmittable to any RL (real life) classroom through projector and an internet connection. Collaborative 3D , world-wide solution building. Teachers could use these models for math, physics, comp sci, art, auto-repair, chemistry, etc as soon as the voice issue is solved.

02/22/2007 @ 17:03

Comment from: Howard [Visitor] · http://www.avatarenglish.com

Very interesting article - SL Learning is clearly gettting to be a very exciting field.

At Avatar English we are developing ways to teach ESL using Second Life, as this new medium allows for a more dynamic and engaging approach to language learning.

The sound issue you mention is not at all a problem - we just use Skype or MSN voice chat alongside. This works just fine.

I am very happy to discuss this (email = howard@avatarenglish.com), as are many other teachers in Second Life.

Exciting times ahead!

05/18/2007 @ 02:14