1. Teaching in Virtual Worlds (Second Life)
Lloyd Onyett
“Komputer Merlin”
Assistant Dean for Technology
College of Education and Educational Technology
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

2. Copyright Notice
This work is intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate or to republish requires written permission from the author.
Copyright Lloyd Onyett

3. What in the World is Second Life?
Online 3-dimensional virtual world
Millions of people with Second Life accounts (estimates range from 2 to 10 million accounts)
Users create an avatar (a 3-dimensional character)
customized to look like yourself, or look entirely different
select clothing for your avatar
choose hair and skin color
body shape
facial features
Avatars are able to communicate with others
chat and instant message
voice
Avatars can walk, turn, run, fly and even teleport to other locations within Second Life

4. Second Life Environment
Islands in Second Life
server space reserved for specific users
provides a virtual location to construct buildings, scenery, land formations, and other objects
An island is 65,536 square meters (approximately 16 acres)
costs $ (educational discount)
monthly land maintenance fee of $147.50
possible to purchase smaller areas in Second Life because islands can be sub-divided and sold to multiple buyers

5. IUP Islands Crimson Island Archaeology Island Whitmyre Island
Comm Media Island
… more to come …

6. Presence in Second Life
Approximately 200 colleges and universities including:
Drexel University
Harvard University
Indiana University of PA
Iowa State University
Lehigh-Carbon CC
Montclair State University
Penn State University
San Jose State University
Stanford University
Temple University
University of Auckland, NZ
1000s of businesses and organizations
IBM
Nissan Motors
Sears
Microsoft
NASA
NOAA
ISTE
American Library Association
American Red Cross
Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama

7. Membership in Second Life
It is FREE to join
Second Life membership is only available for people who are at least 18 years old.
Teen Grid is for people who are 13 to 18 years old
does not allow adults in, other than teachers who must go through a detailed background check, and then only to work with their students in very specific areas in Teen Grid

8. Educational Uses of Second Life
Teach online courses
Enhance regular classes with online materials
Resource for students:
Second Life library sites
Take tours of places such as NASA, NOAA, Sistine Chapel, etc.
Collaboration and communication
Students can learn to build and script

9. How IUP is Using Second Life
Opportunity to “teach outside the box”
Collaboration and communication
Currently using to teach classes in:
Communications Media
Gaming and Simulation
Intro to Technology
Exhibition of Photography and Graphics
Anthropology, Archaeology and Geology
Recreation of artifacts and ruins
English and Foreign Languages
Communication and collaboration skills
Education
Simulations of classroom situations

10. Future IUP Uses of Second Life
Art, Music, and Performing Arts
Museums and galleries for students to show their work
Stages for musicians and actors
Special Education
Simulations of impairment:
Mobility (wheel chairs, etc.)
Vision
Hearing
Audiology and Speech Pathology
Nursing
Simulations
Library
Links to library resources

11. Future IUP Uses of Second Life
Counseling and Educational Psychology
Counseling centers
Simulations
History
Museums
Recreation of historical events
Languages
Literature, museums
Speaking and writing opportunities with others around the world
Business
Monetary studies

12. Future IUP Uses of Second Life
Research Institute
Online research assistance
Admissions, recruiting, orientation
Another way to be visible
Communication with prospective students and applicants
Campus Housing (Living/Learning Communities)
Show “walk-through” examples of rooms
Collaboration/communication

13. What We Have Learned So Far
Not just a copy of Real Life
Some duplicating is ok
For identity
To show real world objects
Students get more engaged
Explore other sites and see what works and what doesn’t and LEARN from that exploration

14. Issues We Had to Address
Porn, pushing, weapons, harassment, inappropriate language and actions
Security and Confidentiality (especially in Counseling, Psychology and Education)
Control
Lock down of access to islands
Faculty need to have ban rights
Training of faculty and students
Resistance of faculty and students

15. Issues We Had to Address
Coordination (created a committee)
Allocation of space
Buying islands and paying maintenance fees
Legal issues
Support
Adequate computer hardware
Buy-in of Technology Support staff
Support for students on home computers

16. Building in Second Life
Things that cause navigation problems
Stairs
Doors
Solid walls
Ceilings
Distance
Build in the sky then move to island surface
Sandbox areas for students and faculty
Cleaning up after classes
Need for some “identity” and some real life objects including furniture
Classrooms that are easily modified
Walls for privacy, but can walk through
Running out of room (space and prims)

17. Communication Issues Distance for chat and voice
Instant Messages for privacy
Can’t always depend on voice working well
Control of side conversations in classes

18. Support Coordination Committee Workshops Second Life Support Center
Involve talented students to assist, especially in building

19. Contact Us at IUP Lloyd Onyett, Assistant Dean for Technology
“Komputer Merlin”
Dr. James Lenze, Communications Media
(chairperson of SL Coordination Committee)
“Eight Shepherd”
Dr. Allen Partridge, Gaming and Simulation
“DoctorPartridge Allen”

20. Learn More About Educational Uses in Second Life
SLED (Second Life Educator’s listserv):
ISTE Island:
Ed Tech Island:
Second Life in Education wiki:
Just get in and explore....