Week 4 - Blog Posting #7 -Second Life

In a paper by Curriculum Consultant, Michele Smith
and Professor of Education, Zane L. Berge some of the aspects of social learning is brought out and how it relates to Second Life. As educators collaborate and utilize the various technologies within Second Life, they are living act/acting upon the behaviors the define social learning theory. That is, observational learning, imitation, and behavior modeling.
I also got the chance to visit Wired Island. Wired island essentially highlights various methods of technologically driven learning formats and delivery methods. It is their aim to immerse the user in the Second Life environment, showing them what potential it has in work force development, training and learning.

ISTE Island
The first thing that strikes me about the ISTE island in Second Life is that the event Calendar and code of conduct are clearly displayed. This is imperative in an online environment of this nature.
In addition, I have to admit that only in Second Life can a free laptop be offered you simply for accepting it.

There is also a wall inside of the ISTE resource room that highlights featured destinations. This is helpful in assisting users in finding areas by subject or interest, all at a glance.

Some of the important points that were brought up in one of the welcome videos was the usefulness of the environment. I able to find the welcome video on Youtube:



International Society for Technology in Education -- ISTE Second Life Retrieved Friday, Posted to Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP137QgYKvQ

In-person conferences that would have taken a great deal of effort and resources are being held online in Second Life. Educators from across the globe can conference, collaborate and exchange ideas as we try to learn from each other and adapt to this existing technology. The analogy that the video highlighted about ISTE being like a virtual sandbox is truly embodied in this island.

I found and joined a really interesting group in Second Life, “Immersive Education”.
I am very interested in game based learning, and spend a great deal of time looking for games that are engaging and well though out. I am going to be incorporating game based learning in my Action Research Project, and exploring the ways in which game based learning can address safety issues in the classroom. Because Immersive Education also addresses game based learning, this group is one that I can see myself becoming involved in not only for the sake of learning , but also for collaboration and networking. Although I did not get a chance to attend any of the group’s meetings due to a recent procedure and doctor’s appointments, I intend to attend in the very near future and am excited about the potential the opportunity holds.




References

Berge, L. Zane, Smith Michele,
Social learning theory in second

Life: Retrieved Friday, September 25, 2009 from:

http://jolt.merlot.org/vol5no2/berge_0609.htm