Reading about student activities in the online environment, the participants in the class can connect in a whole new level. I understand the use of computer-based simulations and animations. If done correctly and managed properly, then I feel like this is a great tool for students to interact and help create community while learning. I feel like this is another tool for students to have an outlet and communication in this particular virtual world.
From personal experience, I own a Sony Playstation 3, a video game console, and they have something similar to Second Life. It is a neat way to meet people and network with others. In a classroom setting, it could be used as project and for students to create and learn from each other. I view it as a possible distraction, but I honestly believe if done correctly with parameters then the students have the opportunity to learn and grow by recreating a process or activity. It can be use a participation grading tool for students to interact and complete tasks in the this simulation world.
It was so interesting reading the connection you made between Sony Playstation 3 and Second Life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I have been seeing things about gaming in distance education. Has anyone else seen information on that?
ReplyDeleteValid point and observation. Jim and Cris provided examples of the use for gaming piece for classes
DeleteIn a previous MOOC a group of us frequently met in Second Life after the weekly live session to carry on a discussion. It tended to be a place where we could explore applications to our personal experiences and situations.
ReplyDeleteIn reply to Laura P. - this is two years old, but rockcliffe university in Second Life (http://www.urockcliffe.com/education/world-of-teachcraft/) was using World Of Warcraft in a MOOC to explore its educational potential. In one of the live discussions, an economics prof explained how they got WOW into their university "under the radar" and were assigning students to use the marketplace to gain first-hand experience with supply and demand.
Hi Eric, I was fortunate to be in Jim's MOOC group that met in Second Life at a place called Conviviality Corners. And it was quite convivial and welcoming to have a place to connect with a few people within the expanse that was MOOC.
ReplyDeleteI hold classes in Second Life now as part of my online course in teaching literature for middle and high school students. Many ask if Second Life is a game and I always say that it is in the larger metaphorical sense that life is a game.
This summer I participated in the DS 106 MOOC and we met in MineCraft which is, communication and graphics-wise, a bit more primitive than Second Life but is ultra easy for building.
Next semester I'm planning in a course on creative inquiry to offer projects for building story sets in Second Life and Minecraft.
Here's a post on Minecraft that I wrote this summer after my first Minecraft experience that you might be interested in as a gamer -- http://virtuallyfoolproof.com/?p=1932
I appreciate the feedback on this topic. In my leisure time, I do interact and play video games. In some ways, the Playstation 3 is comparable to Second Life. I can see how it is a way of building community and taking the classroom experience to the next level for the online community. I will check out these links
DeleteHi Eric, Thanks for making the mention of games. As Laura P. mentions, there's been some interesting stuff out there on games in higher education. I think I'm seeing some stuff on game moocs, but I'm not quite sure how these are different from MMORPGs. Does anyone else know?
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the feedback on this topic. In my leisure time, I do interact and play video games. In some ways, the Playstation 3 is comparable to Second Life. I can see how it is a way of building community and taking the classroom experience to the next level for the online community. I will check out these links
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you mentioned that these programs seem to be distracting. I agree. While it seems that these are great ways to introduce a great visual for students, I wonder if it should just be limited to group work and student community in my courses.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. I wonder if because I don't play video games (and never have) if it's one of the reasons I find Second Life difficult to navigate...?
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you like SL, as much as I do, Id ;ike to explore the educaitonal value and effectiveness in those virtual/serious game to see if they fit in this field.
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