The document discusses teaching in the virtual world Second Life. It provides an introduction to Second Life and outlines critical preparations teachers and students must make before participating in virtual classes in Second Life, including ensuring proper equipment, practicing communication tools, exploring the virtual world, and setting boundaries. The document emphasizes that teachers should focus on content over technology, integrate Second Life gradually, and take advantage of its immersive and interactive environment.

2. Why? You’re excited Your students could use some excitement

3. Why? Second Life is SPECIAL . Not just another web-based tool

4. What is Second Life? Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE) created by Linden Lab June 23, 2003

6. UH Holds Classes in Virtual World While not created specifically for educational purposes, educators are using it for teaching & learning

7. Ikaika Miles Dr. Peter Leong Ikaika Miles in SL Educational Technology Wist Hall 228 [email_address] http://www.hawaii.edu/malamalama/2009/10/second-life/

8. Course goal: To design, develop, and evaluate instruction in SL

9. Synchronous in-world SL sessions; Laulima; Ning discussion; Blog

10. Basic fundamentals of building in SL: focus on building simple educational objects

11. Students learn how to use pairs of prims at right angles to create realistic looking plants

12. Virtual field trips: Explore educational SL builds to evaluate the design

13. Guest speakers in SL

14. Final project: the creation of a virtual world instructional module by student teams

15. Popcorn & soft drinks being enjoyed during Spanish Vocabulary Clothing Walking Tour

16. Critical Preparation #1 TEACHER Equipment

17. Critical Preparation #2 TEACHER Pre-built orientations

18. Critical Preparation #3 TEACHER Practice Communication Voice Text /practice!

19. Critical Preparation #4 TEACHER Object Interactions Touch Create Open Edit... More Pay Take Sit Here anybody have a clue what to do in here?

20. Critical Preparation #5 TEACHER Get use to multitasking help! which window to look at??

21. Critical Preparation #6 TEACHER Buy some Linden $

22. Critical Preparation #7 TEACHER Tell them something Use notecards

23. Critical Preparation #8 TEACHER Tell them where Use landmarks

24. Critical Preparation #9 TEACHER Make it worth the trip Excite, Explore, Experiment

25. Critical Preparation #10 TEACHER Find a home for your class ISTE NMC

26. Getting students ready Why? Not as tech savvy as you think; SL is extremely complex help! I’m sitting “in” the floor…

27. Critical Preparation #1 STUDENT Require visit to a decent orientation

28. Critical Preparation #2 STUDENT Snapshots (Screenshots)

29. Critical Preparation #3 STUDENT Controlled Exploration Be specific Set goals

31. Best Practices I need help! Where can I get that? Don’t assume anything

32. Best Practices Content not technology wonder why those avatars are all hunched over?

33. Best Practices Syllabus is complete wish I’d known I’d have to wear a stupid costume For this course, all students must demonstrate that they have the following required equipment: PC Computer Windows XP or Vista 1.5 ghz processor 1 GB RAM Graphics Cards: (at least one of these) --NVIDIA Graphics Card 6600+ -- ATI Graphics Card 1600-1900; 2600/2900; 3650/3850 High Speed DIRECT Internet Connection (wi-fi is unstable) *Approximately TWO WEEKS of class will be spent in required explorations before class begins. All students will be required to demonstrate that they have the basic skills needed to participate fully in a virtual class session.

34. Best Practices Try a unit of instruction - before a full semester Integrate Second Life slowly

35. Best Practices Safety Instructions Set Boundaries & Limitations Hey..how do we get outa this thing? I dunno

36. Best Practices Socialization – get students to join groups, attend social events Hey..how do we get outa this thing? Love to dance

37. Best Practices Watch out for Wi-Fi connections If possible, do a F2F orientation in lab

41. Acknowledgments Rebecca Meeder aka Professor Swarz Graduate Assistant Dr. Barbara McLain aka Professor Lilliehook

42. Mahalo!