As I am going to be using Second Life to try and increase student motivation and participation in critical studies, it would make sense to investigate a few of the tools available within this MUVE (Multi-User-Virtual-Enviroment. Obviously the number of tools available are growing everyday and this is something I am hoping to take advantage of in the development of my resource for the students.
This SL movie demonstrates how to obtain and set up a notecard reader. This is used to allow students to access large amounts of useful information via reading off a screen.
This movie demonstrates a Slideshow viewer for teaching.
This clip demonstrates an interactive slide show tool.
This is an interesting clip showing how to set up a blog in Second Life and a Quiz survey tool.
This brochure display tool in SL allows you to click on small thumbnails on a grid to view larger versions. I can see some uses for this in my resource location.
This video goes through a selection of tools that can be used via SL to aid MUVE teaching.
Clip demonstrates how a triple screen viewer can be set up for use in a lecturer theatre or similar.
Second Life clip demonstrating some of the learning tools that are available for students, such as media viewers and simulations.
Here are some link that Hannah Drayson sent me of a really interesting tool within SL.
http://aeneaideas.wordpress.com/2007/02/16/staraxs-wand/
http://secondthoughts.typepad.com/second_thoughts/2006/08/starax_the_sour.html
http://www.secondlifeinsider.com/2006/06/20/sim-crashers-i-have-known-and-loved/
http://alphavilleherald.com/2007/10/light-waves-sta.html
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Interesting Educational sites within Second Life
I have been reading in depth the Second Life Education Workshop of 2007. This was part of the Second Life Community Convention held in Chicago. I have gained some valuable links to some intersting educational islands within Second Life, as well as some useful information on how other education institutes are using this MUVE.
Below are a few of the locations I have visited. I am hoping to add more soon.
Cosmos Academy, Jirasan (76, 77, 90)
Cosmos Academy is an attempt to bring a higher level of education to Second Life. It is based on the following principles which Jirasan has derived from his experiences in Second and Real Life.
1) Guided Education is Better Than Trial and Error Learing
2) Goal Oriented Tutorials Are More Effective Than Gratuitous Tutorials
3) You Cannot Learn From Helpdesks
4) Once You Have the Basics Down Your Need Somewhere to Go For Something Deeper
5) More Advanced People Need to Interact With Other More Advanced People -
These islands include quite a few interactive displays such as mazes and puzzles.
There are also free scripts available for setting up interactive white boards etc.
There is also a building with several floors being developed to house various educational areas.
Global Kids HQ, Teaching (221, 163, 24)
Founded in 1989 this non profit organization's mission is to transform youths in urban areas into successful students by engaging them in socially dynamic, content-rich learning experiences. Global Kids uses interactive and experiential methods to educate about social issues and provide students them with opportunities for civic and global engagement. GK provides teachers and educators using its professional development program, strategies for integrating a youth development approach and international issues into their educational establisments.
The Island also has stands outlining machinima video projects.
There are also many meeting places here for online learning. As well as discussions of topics such as Ethics.
A resource centre has links to published papers and free script and meshes are also available.
ISTE Island, ISTE Island (93, 80, 30)
For more than 30 years the International Society for Technology in Education has been helping teachers and education leaders. Using advances in technology ISTE has help revolutionize improvements in education.
ISTE represents more than 85,000 professionals worldwide helping educators face the challenge of transforming education via the use of technology.
ISTE uses innovative educational technology books and programs; conducting professional development workshops, forums, and symposia; and researching, evaluating, and disseminating findings regarding educational technology on an international level. ISTE's Web site, www.iste.org, contains coverage of many topics relevant to the educational technology community.
The ISTE Island contains many useful interactive objects to aid learning and provide notecards and links to further educational sites.
The Teleport display is a good place to start to find other areas, within the nearby islands and locations, for more information on ITSE, as well as research on the Arts ,Education and other related topics.
Interactive objects are scattered all over the island. Here is an example of a a stand that demonstrates the composition of certain molecules.
Ball State University Campus, Ball State University (191, 198, 26)
The Ball State University Museum of Art encourages visitors to experience the joy of lifelong learning and recreation found in the visual arts, via use of Second Life. The museum has engaging exhibitions for everyone to explore. There are also programs and events to inform you more about the arts.
The universities website provides information about the museum's history, collection, and exhibitions, as well as forthcoming events and programs.
Like many university locations this one has a lecture theatre based on real life buildings and settings.
International Spaceflight Museum, Spaceport Alpha (127, 144, 451)
The International Spaceflight Museum is a museum within Second Life. It hosts exhibits and events about real-world spacecraft, rockets, and space travel. The museum is located on the island sims Spaceport Alpha and Spaceport Bravo. It includes models of various spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle and the ability to teleport to some of the planets within our Solar System.
This site holds some excellent resources, such as detailed representations of spacecraft like the space shuttle or the International space station.
There are also teleports to visit some of the planets within our solar system.
Spaceport Alpha also has some spectacular views.
There are also posters that include more information about the site and exhibits.
The Island is very easy to explore, especially with the aid of maps.
University Of Denver Science School
This locations has mock ups of their study rooms and laboratories.
They also have their own planetarium.
Explorer Island, home of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
The island is currently under construction, but contains much to look at regarding interactivity and education, specifically with the use of its models of various landers and vehicles.
For example:
The Mars airbag
To the south part of the island you will find a mountain with a platform. From the platform you can launch a Mars Airbag and it will roll down the mountain in a direction based on forces from the wind, terrain and initial random speed. If you are quick, you can ride the airbag down the hill but the route will change based upon your riding of the airbag.
The Mars rover
There are two rovers in the Mars Mountain Area. The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) and the Sojourner from the Mars Pathfinder Mission. It's possible to ride Sojourner but only one at a time, it's a small rover.
There is plenty to do in this location with many interactive exhibits and stands.
You can even ride on an asteroid!
Entrance to the planetarium where you can set up your location to view the night sky where you live.
Here is the sky over Cornwall.
Dust Devils
Once in a while, a dust devil on Mars will blow by the Mars Exploration Rovers. These dust devils are the same as those on Earth except on Mars, they can be 3 times larger than a full tornado on Earth. In Second Life, you and two other friends can ride them around Mars Mountain.
Here I am ridng one of the dust devils, OZ here I come!
NMC Resource Center, Learning (125, 161, 23)
The New Media Consortium (http://www.nmc.org/) Campus in Second Life represents the largest educational project in any virtual world, comprising the efforts of well over 120 institutions. The NMC Campus landmass includes 91 sims (islands) that the NMC owns/manages as the NMC Campus, plus another 46 that represent the work of leading educational organizations that have chosen to collocate with the project.
There is also a very handy floating map which provides valuable directions to other Educational sites on the islands.
The New Media Consortium (NMC) is an international not-for-profit consortium of learning-focused organizations dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and new technologies. Its hundreds of member institutions constitute an elite list of the most highly regarded colleges and universities in the world, as well as leading museums, key research centers, and some of the world's most forward-thinking companies.
There are many learning objects and locations within this site.
This is how I see myself using SL to exhibit objects that are of use to my students within their critical studies modules.
In some locations there are interactive exhibits to explore complex everyday problems that can be easily visualised within SL.
There are even operating theatres set up to practice medical procedures.
There are different zones within the theatres to allow for large groups or tests.
Below are a few of the locations I have visited. I am hoping to add more soon.
Cosmos Academy, Jirasan (76, 77, 90)
Cosmos Academy is an attempt to bring a higher level of education to Second Life. It is based on the following principles which Jirasan has derived from his experiences in Second and Real Life.
1) Guided Education is Better Than Trial and Error Learing
2) Goal Oriented Tutorials Are More Effective Than Gratuitous Tutorials
3) You Cannot Learn From Helpdesks
4) Once You Have the Basics Down Your Need Somewhere to Go For Something Deeper
5) More Advanced People Need to Interact With Other More Advanced People -
These islands include quite a few interactive displays such as mazes and puzzles.
There are also free scripts available for setting up interactive white boards etc.
There is also a building with several floors being developed to house various educational areas.
Global Kids HQ, Teaching (221, 163, 24)
Founded in 1989 this non profit organization's mission is to transform youths in urban areas into successful students by engaging them in socially dynamic, content-rich learning experiences. Global Kids uses interactive and experiential methods to educate about social issues and provide students them with opportunities for civic and global engagement. GK provides teachers and educators using its professional development program, strategies for integrating a youth development approach and international issues into their educational establisments.
The Island also has stands outlining machinima video projects.
There are also many meeting places here for online learning. As well as discussions of topics such as Ethics.
A resource centre has links to published papers and free script and meshes are also available.
ISTE Island, ISTE Island (93, 80, 30)
For more than 30 years the International Society for Technology in Education has been helping teachers and education leaders. Using advances in technology ISTE has help revolutionize improvements in education.
ISTE represents more than 85,000 professionals worldwide helping educators face the challenge of transforming education via the use of technology.
ISTE uses innovative educational technology books and programs; conducting professional development workshops, forums, and symposia; and researching, evaluating, and disseminating findings regarding educational technology on an international level. ISTE's Web site, www.iste.org, contains coverage of many topics relevant to the educational technology community.
The ISTE Island contains many useful interactive objects to aid learning and provide notecards and links to further educational sites.
The Teleport display is a good place to start to find other areas, within the nearby islands and locations, for more information on ITSE, as well as research on the Arts ,Education and other related topics.
Interactive objects are scattered all over the island. Here is an example of a a stand that demonstrates the composition of certain molecules.
Ball State University Campus, Ball State University (191, 198, 26)
The Ball State University Museum of Art encourages visitors to experience the joy of lifelong learning and recreation found in the visual arts, via use of Second Life. The museum has engaging exhibitions for everyone to explore. There are also programs and events to inform you more about the arts.
The universities website provides information about the museum's history, collection, and exhibitions, as well as forthcoming events and programs.
Like many university locations this one has a lecture theatre based on real life buildings and settings.
International Spaceflight Museum, Spaceport Alpha (127, 144, 451)
The International Spaceflight Museum is a museum within Second Life. It hosts exhibits and events about real-world spacecraft, rockets, and space travel. The museum is located on the island sims Spaceport Alpha and Spaceport Bravo. It includes models of various spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle and the ability to teleport to some of the planets within our Solar System.
This site holds some excellent resources, such as detailed representations of spacecraft like the space shuttle or the International space station.
There are also teleports to visit some of the planets within our solar system.
Spaceport Alpha also has some spectacular views.
There are also posters that include more information about the site and exhibits.
The Island is very easy to explore, especially with the aid of maps.
University Of Denver Science School
This locations has mock ups of their study rooms and laboratories.
They also have their own planetarium.
Explorer Island, home of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
The island is currently under construction, but contains much to look at regarding interactivity and education, specifically with the use of its models of various landers and vehicles.
For example:
The Mars airbag
To the south part of the island you will find a mountain with a platform. From the platform you can launch a Mars Airbag and it will roll down the mountain in a direction based on forces from the wind, terrain and initial random speed. If you are quick, you can ride the airbag down the hill but the route will change based upon your riding of the airbag.
The Mars rover
There are two rovers in the Mars Mountain Area. The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) and the Sojourner from the Mars Pathfinder Mission. It's possible to ride Sojourner but only one at a time, it's a small rover.
There is plenty to do in this location with many interactive exhibits and stands.
You can even ride on an asteroid!
Entrance to the planetarium where you can set up your location to view the night sky where you live.
Here is the sky over Cornwall.
Dust Devils
Once in a while, a dust devil on Mars will blow by the Mars Exploration Rovers. These dust devils are the same as those on Earth except on Mars, they can be 3 times larger than a full tornado on Earth. In Second Life, you and two other friends can ride them around Mars Mountain.
Here I am ridng one of the dust devils, OZ here I come!
NMC Resource Center, Learning (125, 161, 23)
The New Media Consortium (http://www.nmc.org/) Campus in Second Life represents the largest educational project in any virtual world, comprising the efforts of well over 120 institutions. The NMC Campus landmass includes 91 sims (islands) that the NMC owns/manages as the NMC Campus, plus another 46 that represent the work of leading educational organizations that have chosen to collocate with the project.
There is also a very handy floating map which provides valuable directions to other Educational sites on the islands.
The New Media Consortium (NMC) is an international not-for-profit consortium of learning-focused organizations dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and new technologies. Its hundreds of member institutions constitute an elite list of the most highly regarded colleges and universities in the world, as well as leading museums, key research centers, and some of the world's most forward-thinking companies.
There are many learning objects and locations within this site.
This is how I see myself using SL to exhibit objects that are of use to my students within their critical studies modules.
In some locations there are interactive exhibits to explore complex everyday problems that can be easily visualised within SL.
There are even operating theatres set up to practice medical procedures.
There are different zones within the theatres to allow for large groups or tests.
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