Claude W. Chavis, Jr. Walden University AVATARS AND VIRTUAL WORLDS IN EDUCATION A.K.A. Onyas Bayn in Second Life

Virtual worlds evolved from: o Social Networks o Online Games o Simulations Are also known as MUVEs WHAT IS A VIRTUAL WORLD 2

MULTI-USER VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS MUVE One ‐ to ‐ one One ‐ to ‐ many o Collaboration o Collegiality o Professional development o Social interaction

What is A Virtual World  A computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact via avatars.  Includes OpenSim, Second Life, and Wonderland.Wikipedia 4

 Second Life is the most popular non-gaming virtual world.  Statistics: User-to-User transactions in 2009 totaled US$567 million in 2009, growth of 65% over The amount of virtual currency in circulation reached L$6.95 billion, growth of 23% over December Residents spent 481 million hours in Second Life in 2009, 21% growth over 2008 SECOND LIFE 5

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW Avatar: your virtual persona In ‐ life: things in the Second Life environment Main Grid & Teen Grid : 18+ & 13 ‐ 17 years Sim (Island): the land in Second Life RL/SL: Real Life/Second Life

COMPONENTS OF ONLINE ENVIRONMENTS Live interaction in real ‐ time Individual and group work Varied presentation formats Learning from instructor and peers Resources that can be easily shared Student activity can be monitored Engaging and motivating

BENEFITS OF SECOND LIFE Virtual realities such as SL allow for the free exchange of information without the limitations of distance and time that travel normally involves. By using virtual realities, such as galleries and e-portfolios, students from across the world can meet on common ground. Digital media can be shared with relative ease. By using avatars, the usual considerations of appearance can be eliminated from most situations. There are already virtual schools springing up across the world. By eliminating the physical infrastructure required for most schools, costs are minimalized.

WHAT CAN IT DO? Collaborative spaces/tools Discussions/conferences Information/Awareness Simulations Social interaction Virtual schools Visualization

BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS In the article “Barriers and Facilitators to the Adoption of Tools for Online Pedagogy,” the authors looked at the various factors affecting the adaptation of SL. These factors included cost effectiveness, staff perceptions, strategic initiatives, and the types of support provided by the information technology systems management of a range of educational institutions that have committed to education delivery or pilot projects in Second Life.

BARRIERS Time Cost Pedagogical use Technical problems Lack of strategic management initiatives

FACILITATORS Accommodates different learning styles. Construction of understanding and meaning through experience and reflection. Immersive active experience. Learning in a social constructivist environment. Social framework and context.

CONTINUED AVATARS AND VIRTUAL WORLDS IN EDUCATION

THE PROBLEM One of the major problems with this online learning is the lack of a sense of social presence in the asynchronous learning environment in comparison to the face-to-face learning environment of a brick and mortar school. Social presence is considered to be a “significant factor in improving instructional effectiveness … [especially] in distance education” (Chih- Hsiung, 2002).

Current Practice Brick and mortar school predominate. Distributed education is becoming more common. o Blackboard o Computer conferences o Wikis Limited virtual schools are being opened. STAGE 1- KNOWLEDGE

The innovation Second Life is being used as a platform by early adopters. o Businessmen o Educators o Individuals o Non-profits

STAGE 2- PERSUASION Socioeconomic characteristics o Students are familiar with the technology involved. o Students must have computer access. Personality variables o Second Life is intensely interactive and engages students. Communication o Anyone can access Second Life using the Viewer. o Access is free but segregated by age groups.

STAGE 2- PERSUASION Testability o The Second Life Viewer is currently undergoing beta testing. o The technology is available on all internet ready computers. Observations o Second Life is available for all computer hardware platforms. o If a student is not paying attention, their avatar goes to sleep.

STAGE 3 - DECISION Advantages o Use of the program is free. o Linden Lab is responsible for updates. o Students enjoy the game like environment. Compatibility o Runs on portable interactive platforms, such as Blackberries. Complexity o The software has a steep learning curve o The problem is being addressed by a new Beta Viewer.

STAGE 4 - IMPLEMENTATION Adoption o We can implement the technology without additional costs.

STAGE 5 - CONFIRMATION Many colleges and universities are conducting studies of the technology. Many businesses and other organizations have already made Second Life a major component of their networking programs.

Second Life is the most popular virtual world. OpenSim is widely adopted as a virtual communication and collaboration tool for businesses. Wonderland is widely adopted for education purposes. It is expected that in near future, all three will be interconnected, allowing avatars to teleport freely among the regions. ◦ This breakthrough will transform virtual worlds into a “Web” ◦ Virtual world clients will serve as a browser for this “Web” of virtual worlds. 31 SUMMARY

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES IN SECOND LIFE Genetics Astronomy at the Science School. Astronomy Science Lands Blog, follow the link to SLambling blog and then to the Scilands orientation Science Lands BlogSLambling blogthe Scilands orientation EduIsland website SLolar Central - a gathering place for S econd L ife Sch olar s. SLolar Central Second Nature. A blog entry about Second Nature science learning resources. Second NatureA blog entry Second Life Science Center - a wiki Second Life Science Center

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