How the virtual world of Second Life is
used for teaching, learning and research

Dr. Larysa Nadolny
Dept. of Foundational Studies in Education
West Chester University, PA
www.paedtech.com
lnadolny@wcupa.edu
SL: Larysa Freenote

An online, multi-user, persistent environment
populated by avatars (virtual representation of the
user).
Some virtual worlds are designed for a specific
purpose while others are designed by the users.
There are hundreds of virtual worlds, with over
200 designed for 18 and under.

• Adult, user-created world opened 2003
– Teen Second Life for users 13-17
• Free, must download software
• Over 16 million user accounts
• Hundreds of universities and colleges in Second Life
– Columbia, Drexel, Duke, Harvard, Idaho State, Ithaca College,
Kansas State, MIT, Montana State, Monroe CC, Ohio, Penn
State, IUP and many international institutions
• Government Agencies including NASA and Ontario
Public Services

Second Life as a teaching and distance learning tool

Ohio University Second Life Campus

Duke University Nursing Second Life Campus

Second Life as a medium for learning activities

• Object is too big or too small
– Planets
– molecules
• Topic is too dangerous or to risky
– Weather
– Run your own business
• Promote creativity
– Step into a painting
– Create sculpture, design buildings
• Immersive role playing
– Go back in time or to the future
– Participate in mock interviews
– Meet and speak with people from other cultures and languages

International Spaceflight Museum

International Space Station

Info Island International

Amino World

Weather and Oceanography (NOAA)

Tsunami Simulation(NOAA)

Catalhoyuk Island (Berkley)

Nursing Teaching Hospital (Tacoma College)

Virtual Hallucinations (UC Davis)

Virtual Starry Night

+ Only limited by your imagination and available
technology
+ Adds interest and motivation to hybrid or online courses
+ Adds authentic student-centered and collaborative
activities to any course
- Large time (or money) investment to build complex
simulations
- Can be difficult to manage in face-to-face situations
- Students need adequate computer hardware and high
speed internet access

•Effective online teaching strategies
•Student collaboration and problem-based learning
•Self-image
•Social and spatial behaviors
•Medical treatment and support
•Sensitive health issues
•Autism
•Smoking
•Computer applications and technology
•Business strategies…

Dr. Larysa Nadolny
Dept. of Foundational Studies in Education
West Chester University, PA
www.paedtech.com
lnadolny@wcupa.edu
SL: Larysa Freenote
WCU SL Location on “Teaching 11”

Definition: http://ubernoggin.com/archives/383
Number of virtual worlds: http://www.virtualworldsmanagement.com/
Second Life information: http://lindenlab.com/pressroom/general/factsheets/sloverview
Universities and government in SL:
http://www.simteach.com/wiki/index.php?title=Second_Life_Education_Wiki
Great list of educational uses in second life:
http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/educationaluses
Article on Autism: “Virtual Worlds Turn Therapeutic for Autistic Disorders” Chronicle of
Higher Education