Presented at the 7th Annual Canadian e-Learning Conference (June 17-19, 2009) by Nola Johnston. The virtual world of Second Life (SL) offers exciting new opportunities for educators, and many instructors and institutions have begun to explore its possibilities. Some hold classes in-world, others augment face to face teaching practices with uses that include in-world slide show presentations or galleries, streaming audio/video, filming in-world "machinima," or building exhibits or models or process demonstrations. Many develop content that is impossible or impractical to create in the real world. The learning curve for using Second Life can be discouragingly steep. A current BCcampus project aims to mitigate the impediments by setting up a training framework for educators interested in its possibilities. The first stage was to develop an informational/resource wiki for educators. It includes an overview of SL, basic how-to's, a review of educational uses, challenges and solutions, information on practical classroom practices, curricula and class modules, and resources and references for further exploration. The wiki will continue to develop over time as educators add content. The next stages will involve offering orientation classes to educators. Ultimately the project is intended to provide the structure and tools for a self-sustaining peer-based mentoring system that supports a community of educators interested in SL. This presentation will first give you a taste of what is possible by showing examples of educational projects within Second Life. The second part will introduce the BCcampus project wiki and update you on the overall status of the project.

1. Second Life for Educators
A BC Campus Project
Managed by BCIT
With support from SFU
Nola Johnston
njohnston12@my.bcit.ca

2. What is Second Life?
• Platform, not game
• 27,483 islands as of May 15, 2009
• Free basic account
• Residents have ability to create content
• Content is persistent
• Ability to rez (display) content is linked to land ownership
• In-world economy permits buying and selling, convertible to US$

3. Activities
• Social (e.g. parties, clubs)
• Exploration
• Entertainment
(e.g. live concerts, streaming media, games)
• Creative expression
(e.g. art, design, music, dance, machinima)
• Subcultures and communities of affinity

4. NOT a mature technology!
Hype (for or against) does not reflect reality.

5. C u r r e n t ly h u n d r e d s o f
in s t it u t io n s a r e a c t iv e
in S L
It s u s e is N O T
a p p r o p r ia t e f o r e v e r y
in d iv id u a l o r s it u a t io n

6. Why you should use SL
• SL increases engagement for many students
• SL offers opportunities for collaboration across distance and disciplines
• SL offers the opportunity of doing things that are not possible or practical in the
real world

7. If you are thinking of using SL
• Look realistically at the pros and cons
• Find out how it has been used in your field
• Talk to educators who have been using it
(especially in your area of practice)
• Look outside your field for new ideas

8. How educators (and others) are using SL

9. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Meetings, presentations, panel discussions, conference

10. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Collaboration across distance and/or disciplines

11. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Exhibits/Displays/Galleries/Museums

12. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Exhibits/Displays/Galleries/Museums

13. How educators (and others) are using SL
• 3D environmental models

14. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Process models

15. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Experiential simulations

16. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Experiential simulations

17. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Roleplay simulations

18. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Training models/diagnostics

19. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Games

20. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Creating machinima

21. How educators (and others) are using SL
• Creating machinima

22. Barriers to using Second Life
• Identified by IBM Research Social Computing Group
(Acquiring a Professional “Second Life:” Problems and Prospects for the Use of Virtual Worlds in Business)

23. Barriers to using Second Life
• Motivation

24. Barriers to using Second Life
• Technical difficulties

25. Barriers to using Second Life
• Learning curve for becoming
a competent virtual person

26. Barriers to using Second Life
• Learning curve for becoming
socially proficient in a virtual world

27. Barriers to using Second Life
• Ability to find compelling activities

28. And don’t forget...

29. And don’t forget...
• Dealing with educational
challenges specific to virtual
worlds

30. And don’t forget...
• Legal/governance issues

31. And don’t forget...
• Land acquisition and
management issues

32. Second Life for Educators
• Provides solutions to these challenges by creating a framework for providing:
• Information
• Resources
• Training

33. Phase 1: Resource Wiki
• Information
• Resources
• Sample course modules and assignments

34. Phase 2: Workshops
• Introductory presentation
• 4 orientation workshops
• 2 assignment course modules
• 4 skills development workshops

35. Phase 3: Testing, revision, documentation
• All workshops to be offered 3 times
• Gather feedback on wiki and workshops
• Revise materials
• Document findings
• Recommendations for ongoing peer-based resources and training

36. Phase 4?
• It’s up to you.

37. Workshops
• S c h e d u le : Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm PST/SLT (SL Time)
•Workshop 1: Thursday June 25 (communication/movement/appearance)
•Workshop 2: Thursday July 2 (interface/social structure/etiquette)
•Workshop 3: Thursday July 9 (intro to building & scripting)
•Workshop 4: Thursday July 16 (basic educational tools & sites)
• In f o r m a t io n : SLBCed.wordpress.com
• C o n t a c t : Nola Johnston, njohnston12@my.bcit.ca