Is it possible for technology to bridge a communication gap, or replace common day teaching techniques that would allow schools to broaden their horizons? Apparently so, thanks to Second Life.
Second Life is online mass multiplayer environment, that is real life, real time, and can simulate any environment you can possibly imagine. Educators across the globe are beginning to use this platform as a way to enhance, and offer a more realistic classroom experience to distance learners. The benefits seem to exist by allowing for more of a group feel, along with open ideology, and enhanced class participation. Learning via distance is an unusual take on traditional studies, and what we are really just now starting to understand in a world full of new technology.
“Educators say Second Life is an effective teaching tool in part because it provides a social laboratory where role-playing, simulations, exploration, and experimentation can be tried out in a relatively risk-free environment.”, (Graves, Lucia 2008). Seriously? How effective can this be? Well, being that these days you can take an entire course, and earn an entire degree online, how “out there” really is this idea of hosting an online classroom? What would the harm be in allowing the group to meet together, at least it’s some sort of gathering to discuss ideas and a chance to actually give the feeling of communication and “group”. This sense of belonging seems to be lost with distance learning when using just the normal technology available; email, instant message etc.
Perhaps learning is even at an advantage in the Second Life world? According to Diehl and Prins, “…active participation and virtual travels in SL also enhanced Residents’ intercultural literacy as they connected with other geographically dispersed participants…participation fostered use of multiple languages, cross-cultural encounters and friendships, greater awareness of insider cultural perspectives, and openness towards new viewpoints ” (Diehl, Prins 2008).I suppose in a place like the Midwest, where there is no ethnic mix, somesort of cultural stir that would encourage this type of relationship building should be encouraged.
A classroom is always a great place for building those good friendships, at least they are when you are young and happily skipping off to your kindergarten class. But what about the issues? Those same online issues that we face on our other online pieces of life, hacking, bad people, or just people being people that can get in the way? It is very apparent that no matter where we head with technology there are always going to be intruders. “Ohio University had to temporarily close its island when a virtual gunman began shooting other visitors,” (Graves, Lucia 2008).
Way cool that my teacher can be anything, or anyone… and my classmates and I can meet anywhere in the world, or I guess anywhere imaginable together. Yeah, maybe some loser comes in and decides to do something nuts, but I’m beginning to think that’s all over and not just in Second Life. For a Communication Technology, SL is pretty cool…
-Ann R.
References:
Graves, L., MacFabe, (2008). US News and World Report: Vol. 144 Issue 2, p49.
Diehl, W., Prins, E. (2008) Language and Intercultural Communication.
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