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Sustaining learning for LIS through use of a virtual world
"Sustaining learning for LIS through use of a virtual world" (Sheila Webber and Diane Nahl) will be given at the World Library and Information Conference (IFLA conference) held in Gothenbur, Sweden, on 14th August 2010. The full paper corresponding to this powerpoint is at http://www.ifla.org/files/hq/papers/ifla76/123-webber-en.pdf "The virtual world (VW) online education movement is well underway, and librarians have become major participants by developing services and resources for this novel information ground. In this paper we identify ways in which the VW Second Life (SL) is being used by librarians, and describe our teaching of LIS students in SL, and the value of SL for sustainable Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The VW has become the new LIS laboratory for innovation, outreach, career development, research and curriculum development, offering sustainable learning opportunities by saving space, time, funds, and resource consumption, ad by increasing international and interdisciplinary interaction among programs, educators, librarians and students. LIS education can develop sustainable education practices by optimizing interaction with the VW library and educator and discipline-based communities active in SL, thereby providing a vibrant VW educationalenvironment for students, educators and researchers. The benefits to students include, unprecedented access to geo-distant tutors, professionals and experts in every field; flexible meeting times; experiencing content in unique forms; and acquiring VW informationliteracy."
Sustaining learning for LIS through use of a virtual world
- 1. Sheila Webber /Sheila Yoshikawa Information School University of Sheffield, UK Diane Nahl / Adra Letov Department of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Hawaii, USA Sustaining learning for LIS through use of a virtual world WLIC, July 2010
- 2. Diane Nahl andher avatar Adra Letov Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 3. Contribution to sustainability •Environment for – distance learning – networking and Continuing Professional Development – developing research links – meeting international colleagues and developing cultural awareness • “Social presence” of SL helps build sense of community and friendship Pictures by Sheila Webber, unless otherwise stated
- 4. Second Life, aVirtual World (VW) • VW = persistent, multiuser, avatars, networked • 3-D VW world, owned by (& trademark of) Linden Lab • Most things created by SL residents: SL fashion designers, architects, bakers, animal makers …. • Avatars- 3D representation of yourself – free to signup and can live on freebies, but need Linden dollars if want to own land, buy clothes etc. • Need to download SL browser & have good connection & graphics card • Communication through text chat, Voice and Instant Messaging • 40-80,000 people online simultaneously Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 5. Education Virtual Hajj UEL virtual patient Biology Uncle D story learning quest on FSU Holocaust HIV/AIDS Muinjij native American island Teesside Virtual factory
- 6. What do librariansdo? • Support staff, students & the public through virtual information and library services • Reader development activities and book groups • Recreate historical or fictional environments • Teach or co-teach virtual classes • Create interactive learning objects • Use SL to plan and “mock up” new services • Organise, and participate in CPD activities • Engage in charitable work …. and have fun! Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 7. Community Virtual Library ReferenceDesk – Reader development – Installations - Events http://infoisland.org/about/ Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 8. Teaching in SL:Webber’s examples • First year undergraduate core class (BSc Information Management) – Exhibiting on “7 Pillars of Information Literacy” – Research interviews about information behaviour • Masters-level option “Educational Informatics” – Visits, including attending & reporting on major SL education conference – Reflecting on how could be used for learning & teaching • Benefits – Interacting with concepts in 3D – Engaging with people internationally – Developing further communication & technology skills & Nahl, 2010 Webber
- 9. Webber & Nahl,2010
- 10. Teaching in SL:Nahl’s examples • Teaches four Masters classes which use SL – Human Dimension in Information Systems – Virtual World Librarianship – Introduction to Reference and Information Services – Teaching Information Technology Literacy • Activities include – Producing professional events, subject guides, exhibits – Shadowing and observing SL reference desk librarians – Integrating and managing Web 2.0 cloud computing for planning, collaboration, and archiving Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 11. Webber & Nahl,2010
- 12. LIS Student Union(LISSU) Home base, building sandbox, resource center, meeting space and presentation area for all LIS students in SL Front entrance near Reference Desk Photos Diane Nahl Picture(s) here Backyard display area for presentations and student research posters
- 13. Further benefits • Involvementof outside tutors, • Showcasing students' work in exhibitions • Enabling people to meet up with tutors and peers outside scheduled times safely & from remote locations. • Encouraging discussion on issues such as identity, ethnicity and communication Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 14. Continuing professional development • Expertise from around world: speakers & audience; • No travel cost or travel time • People can chat and get to know each other • Variety of formats e.g. – Conferences – Tours – Themed / Commemorative Events – Training courses – Interactive exhibits
- 15. "I'm consistently amazedby the quality of professional development opportunities afforded me by participating in virtual worlds. ... I really love what I learn from such diverse groups of librarians in this way. I still can't believe I attend these discussions/presentations and some very large events all for no cost other than the time it takes me to login on my laptop. Truly an amazing time for educators to be able to connect like never before.” Ashford (2010) Picture by Robin Ashford Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 16. “The remarkably richCPD Nahl’s experience in SL has allowed me to meet new research perspective collaborators willing to work at a distance across time zones on projects of mutual interest. Through SL I have been able to expand the exposure of graduate LIS students to views, knowledge, and practices of librarians across the world; to find librarian mentors for Photo Diane Nahl students; and introduce students to a work environment that sparks creativity." Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 17. Conclusions: key reasonsfor using VWs for sustainable LIS learning • Prepare for the next generation of virtual learners • Educate librarians to create sustainable services & libraries, including virtual ones • Opportunities for worldwide collaboration • Create interactive and innovative tools, learning objects and learning environments, and share them internationally Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 18. Sheila Yoshikawa Sheila Webber http://adventuresofyoshikawa.blogspot.com/ s.webber@shef.ac.uk http://information-literacy.blogspot.com/ Twitter: SheilaYoshikawa http://www.slideshare.net/sheilawebber Professor Diane Nahl nahl@hawaii.edu http://www2.hawaii.edu/~nahl/courses Twitter: DianeNahl http://www.slideshare.net/DNahl http://www.flickr.com/photos/ lis-students-sl/sets/ Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 19. • This paperis online in full text at http://www.ifla.org/files/hq/papers/ifla76/123-webber-en.pdf • This presentation is on slideshare at http://www.slideshare.net/sheilawebber/sustaining-learning- for-lis-through-use-of-a-virtual-world • Delicious links: http://delicious.com/lilacsl/ (compiled by Webber, Vicki Cormie, Denny Colledge, Marshall Dozier, Lyn Parker) • Virtual World Watch http://virtualworldwatch.net/ (reports on use of virtual worlds in UK HE & FE, podcasts etc.) Webber & Nahl, 2010
- 20. • Infolit iSchool – wiki: http://infolitischool.pbworks.com/ – SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Infolit+iSchool/132/194/22/ – Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ 23396182@N00/collections/72157604063164433/17 • Information Literacy in Second Life Wiki (also the focus for Information Literacy Week in Second Life): http://infolit-week-in-sl.ning.com/ • LIS Student Union in SL, – Sloog site: http://www.sloog.org/avatars/id/Adra-Letov/places – Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lis-students-sl/sets/ – Website: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~nahl/studentunion/lis-su.html – YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/LISstudentunionSL – SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island%20International/74/233/32 Webber & Nahl, 2010