Second life session on virtual worlds

Innovative eLearning technologies such as virtual worlds can only be successful if they are implemented successfully by the innovator. It is therefore important to identify successful innovators and learn from their knowledge of the implementation and maintenance of eLearning technologies. Having the opportunity to attend a second life session by an innovator in educational uses of emerging virtual worlds Steve (Stephen) Collis, it was decided that a video of the meeting was to be produced with questioning that highlights the challenges of implementing innovative technologies in an eLearning environment. This video contains many questions asked by a range of participants in a variety of education settings on the use of virtual worlds in education.

Part One:
An introduction from Jass to LeStep (Steve Collis) about our group, and Steve’s comments about how virtual technology links people from different places and gives them the opportunity to compare their situations
Steve Collis’s introduction about who he is and what he does at his school
At the start of 2009 he bought a private island in Teen Second Life which is used by Year 8-12 students, how this came about and the regulations and rules of Teen Second Life.
Brief discussion of OpenSim which mimics SecondLife and is available for students of all ages, including primary. Steve recommends Reaction Grid to host this world and mentions some of their pricing structure.

Part Two:
How Steve’s school uses TSL, how student’s begin and how they make sure only invited guests enter the island. Borallie Island is a regulated and managed closed circuit. It is part of the school grounds.
They have a leadership group of students who monitor the island, keep a high standard of behaviour and teach the others how to be part of the island.
Code of Conduct for all students have been drafted.

Part Three:
Discussion of the code of conduct, Student’s leadership group, anonymity, anecdote about how anonymity has benefitted the students.
Interestingly behaviour is at a higher level in the virtual world than in real life.

Part Four:
Tutorials run Friday Lunchtimes on how to edit the world run by students. 8-10 teachers regularly use Island. Description of first session with students, behaviour management in virtual classroom. Teachers need to be confident
What do they actually do in this virtual world and why bother? Other rules, Steve is the “planning permit council”
What students have built on the island.

Part Five:
Continuation with what is on the island. More anecdotes of what students have done and their creativity.
Skills are not assessed but are immeasurable and of infinite usefulness.
Loss of Steve’s audio at about 3 minute mark.

Part Six:
Audio begins at about 1.30 but drops out frequently for first half.
Quick real-time virtual world activities and feedback which can be given immediately to the class. Spelling, Maths, and History drills etc

Part Seven:
Real applications of education in the virtual world.
Answers to groups questions including assessment, schools computers capabilities, hours in world, out of school students (online)
Borellie Island has been used as a bribe!

Part Eight:
Why online learning works
More questions - Avatars, Can student’s be blocked for bad behaviour?, the kids are the experts, Sloodle,

Part Nine:
Questions continued – Sloodle, more on OpenSim, comparison of SecondLife costs and OpenSim, content vs process
His vision for the future of the school
jokaydiaGrid.com

Part Ten:
Process vs content cont., how long it takes users for comfortable use, has it changed schools social structure, Students locked to Island and can’t go elsewhere, other schools interacting with Borellie.