This paper seeks to evaluate how educators in particular are using Second Life, and observes the successes and shortcomings they have experienced through their explorations in the Second Life “metaverse.”

1. Uses of Second Life in Higher
Education: Three Successful Cases
Jenny Wongtangswad
Hui-Yin Hsu
Master of Science in Instructional Technology

2. Case 1: Case Western Reserve
University’s Virtual Campus Tour
 Case Western spent
approximately $30,000
to construct a virtual
campus in Second Life
 Attracting prospective
students who were
unable to attend a
campus tour in-person

3.  For prospective students to interact and
converse with current students during times
where admissions officials were not always
present
 Approximately 40 students made virtual visits
during the virtual campus’ lifespan in Second
Life
 Request SL campus visit:
http://admission.case.edu/secondlife.asp

4. Case 2: SUNY ONEONTA MUSIC PROJECT
 Professor of Chemistry at the State University of New York
(SUNY)
 Involved students from the Music Program at SUNY
 Nine volunteer students participated in an extra credit
internship program in Second Life
 Each group organized a concert enlisting established Second
Life performers
 Students were responsible for the publicity, technical
requirements, and working with the performers to ensure
each concert went smoothly
 Over 100 SUNY Oneonta students attended the concert

5. Case 3: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) uses Second Life as a Student Lab
 Most MIT’s virtual campuses are devoted entirely to
student experimental projects
 MIT reinforces student collaboration and encourages
exploration of the virtual world (i.e. building design)
 Express Opinions: Deliver speech through megaphone &
use avatars to show their agreement or disagreement with
the speaker’s point of view
 Help prospective students determine which residential hall
would be the best fit for them

6.  MIT SL project list:
 https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/SL/The+Second+L
ife+Project+List

7. Possibilities
 Replicate campuses in the virtual world:
recruitment
 Distance learning: strengthen sense of community
 Encourage students to participate in exploring the
educational benefits of Second Life
 Alumni reunion
 Exhibit: virtual showcase
 Practice voting, protest

8. Possibilities
 Collaboration: students hold after-class chats
about their assignments, collaborate with
another cohort
 Virtual seminar or performance: Panel
discussions and/or virtual orchestra
performance
 Organizing events
 Obtain experience: work as magazine editor,
hostesses, sales clerks and dancers

9. Criticisms
 Technical requirements
 Second Life does not accommodate for users with
disabilities such as visual or mobility impairments.
 Unregulated sexual content
 Intruders